Ugh, am I gonna need sandbags? The hysteria is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I know power will be out and that's not hype. Everytime it rains my backyard floods since it's sloped. It never gets into my basement since we have a walkout and there's a little step but it gets pretty close to the doors. I'm wondering if I should get a few sandbags just in case but I feel ridiculous even considering this. The problem is you can't wait and see what the forecasts do because all of the doomsday crazies have already cleared all of the shelves. I can't wait til this is over.

[Anonymous]

We're in a similar situation. Instead of sand bags, hubby is just going to get bags of mulch, which I need anyway, and use those as a barrier.

[Anonymous]

I know, I don't understand. They're predicting 1-3 inches of rain and 20-30 mph winds for D.C. and other close in areas, nothing for the far western suburbs. Why do I need to worry about stocking up on water?

[Anonymous]

Were you here for Isabel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know, I don't understand. They're predicting 1-3 inches of rain and 20-30 mph winds for D.C. and other close in areas, nothing for the far western suburbs. Why do I need to worry about stocking up on water?

Because with Pepco's track record we'll lose power for a week despite the storm not hitting this area hard. We lose power we lose the items in the fridge after 24 hours or so. If the storm is bad enough that it messes with the water filtration systems the water authorities may put a boil water or no drinking tap advisory into place.

Thus bottled water.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I was living in Anne Arundel county during Isabel and could not leave my house as my area was flooded. Sunday/Monday may be a good time to schedule that neighborhood barbecue.

[Anonymous]

In addition, the hurricane's path is not set in stone. If it tracks further west than is currently forcast, we would be hit harder. I stocked up because better safe than sorry, especially with Pepco's reliability issues.

[Anonymous]

My DH went shopping yesterday. He said it was cazy. He got everything I asked for, except I didn't put bottled water on the list (thought it was self evident) and didn't realize until this morning that we are out of TP. So I'm going to the store this afternoon...

I was here for Isabelle. We lost power for 48 hours. had to throw all the food in the fridge out.

Remember to place flashlights in convenient places.

[Anonymous]

If I didn't have kids it wouldn't be as big a deal but DD takes formula so if the power goes out, I need that bottled water. We don't have a filter on the tap.

[Anonymous]

Wow! Ithink I maybe need to get some of this hysteria/readness in me....lol I was thinking about going to the grocery store today to get some milk because we are almost out.... I wasn't even remembering the hurricane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know, I don't understand. They're predicting 1-3 inches of rain and 20-30 mph winds for D.C. and other close in areas, nothing for the far western suburbs. Why do I need to worry about stocking up on water?

Where are you seeing this prediction?

I have seen predictions of 30-75 mph winds in DC and nearby areas. I really hope it's only 20-30 mph.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH went shopping yesterday. He said it was cazy. He got everything I asked for, except I didn't put bottled water on the list (thought it was self evident) and didn't realize until this morning that we are out of TP. So I'm going to the store this afternoon...

I was here for Isabelle. We lost power for 48 hours. had to throw all the food in the fridge out.

Remember to place flashlights in convenient places.[/quote]

This...and batteries!

[Anonymous]

According to most media, there's still some question as to what exactly Irene will do. i think its fairly certain it will make landfall late tonight in North Carolina. Models are projecting it will go back to sea, possibly gain in strength, and bruch the Mid-Atlantic region before making landfall again in NYC.

That said, the storn is HUGE but not "extremely" powerful. Having been though numerous hurricanes, we will start getting rain tomorrow morning. Winds will pick up byb afternoon. (This is when all you PEPCO custumers will loose power - lo). Most likely, you can expect 50 mph sustained winds as far inland as I-95, with gusts up to 100 mph (but more likely NMT 75mph). Somewhere in the middle of the night I expect us Dominion folks to loose power for a few hours. We'll get it restored by mid day on Sunday. PEPCO, expect to get power by Wednesday.

So, bring in your trashcans and lawn furniture. And don't be shocked if a window breaks from something blowing into it. The sound of the wind can be a little unnerving.

[Anonymous]

I've been in hurricanes in Hawaii, North Carolina, Mississippi (Katrina was by far the worst.), and Florida . When we lived really close to the coast, we evacuated. Otherwise, you do what you can to prepare and hope for the best.

My Tips:

Clean one of your bathtubs really well. And fill it up with water right before the storm hits. You can use the water for drinking, flushing the toilet, cooking, ...... Often after a hurricane and flooding, the water supply is unsafe. It's great to have bottled water. But that may not be enough.

Plan for no electricity. Flashlights are great. But they require batteries. And batteries don't last forever. Candles (used safely) are better.

Most people don't have a battery powered radio. If you lose internet and cable, a radio may be your only source of information.

Bring in anything outside that could become airborne. Think about furniture, grills, bird feeders, planters,.....anything that you can pick up, the wind can pick up.

Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting if it looks like you will lose power. And don't open it unless you have to.

If you are going to be in an area with hurricane force winds, cover windows with plywood. (In Florida, we use hurricane shutters.)

Know how to shut off your electricity, water, gas....if necessary.

Decide what you are going to do with your pets. Make sure you have plenty of food for them as well.

Make sure you have a full charge on your cell phone and a full tank of gas.

Make a decision. Either evacuate or stay. But don't wait until the last minute to try and leave.

Know that if you stay, emergency personal may not even try to help you. Even non-hurricane related accidents happen. If you are in a mandatory evacuation area, decide to stay, then fall down the stairs and break your leg, you may have to wait.

Hope everyone stays safe!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know, I don't understand. They're predicting 1-3 inches of rain and 20-30 mph winds for D.C. and other close in areas, nothing for the far western suburbs. Why do I need to worry about stocking up on water?

First of all, those aren't the figures I've seen predicted most. Second of all, it's a prediction, not a guarantee. Obviously it's quite unpredictable and we don't know what's going to happen. Certainly we shouldn't freak out but I think the "gee, what's the big deal" attitude is just as imbecilic as the "run for your lives!" attitude. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

We live in the Falls Church part of Fairfax county and routinely lose power for 8+ hours in a summer wind/rain storm. So it could be days without power even if things go relatively well.