Posted on 08/28/2011 8:25:32 AM PDT by mandaladon
KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (AP) — From North Carolina to New Jersey, Hurricane Irene appeared to have fallen short of the doomsday predictions. But with rivers still rising, and roads impassable because of high water and fallen trees, it could be days before the full extent of the damage is known.
More than 4.5 million homes and businesses along the East Coast lost power, and at least 11 deaths were blamed on the storm. But as day broke Sunday, surprisingly light damage was reported in many places, with little more than downed trees and power lines.
"I think it's a little strong to say we dodged a bullet. However, it certainly could have turned out worse for the Hampton Roads area" in Virginia, said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Montefusco.
At the same time, officials warned of the possibility of severe flooding over the next few days as runoff from the storm makes its way into creeks and rivers. In some parts of the Northeast, the ground was soggy even before the storm because of an extremely rainy August.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett cautioned: "The rivers may not crest until Tuesday or Wednesday. This isn't just a 24-hour event."
Irene brought rain of six inches to a foot to many places along the East Coast. The storm was still pummeling the New York City area on Sunday morning, dropping below hurricane strength but still dangerous with 65 mph winds and heavy downpours.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell had initially warned that Irene could be a "catastrophic" monster with record storm surges of up to 8 feet.
But in Virginia Beach, the city posted on Twitter late Saturday that initial reports were promising, with the resort area suffering minimal damage.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
This is what Donald Trump said last week on
Greta’s show. The Donald said we would get some rain, and some wind, but no big deal. He said the news media was just trying to make get better ratings.
Yep.....Shepherd Smith hasn’t shut up since the storm started. He makes his own news. I’m glad people took care of themselves but this is the only thing that Smith is talking about.
after all the hype.
janet neapolitano and buds looked like dorks advertising their commands.
mayor bloom looked like an @ss.
I've watched it 20 times and I'm still laughing!
And it worked........ Even so this was not a storm to ignore. They said from the beginning it was a "water storm" more than anything else.... once they saw how slow it would move across the coast. And that is exactly what it has been...streets flooding...ocean surges etc. Falling trees and limbs on an already saturated ground.
I also tend to believe the many prayers that it would weaken and spare the coast were answered.....and all are grateful it was not near what might have otherwise been possible.
I include Ike because it hit our energy complex.
I'd say the headline should be:
“Little major damage seen in many places”
Where I live, 60% of folks lost power during the storm (about 20% of those folks have had it restored so far). That's hardly “little damage,” but most of it is just downed trees and lines, so it's minor damage.
But lots and lots of it. Lots and lots of minor damage.
A lot of rain hits New York. Citizens are in a panic! The call goes out: Wonder Wonks to the rescue!!!
That’s funny, and check out this one!
Snicker.
They are so desperate they’re using car accidents to include in “hurricane fatalities.”
That’s going to become a huge meme now.
That is only because Commander Zero, the world reknown meteorologist and Smiter of
Hurricanes, cut his well earned vaction short to sit at the complex controls of the old "Rove
Weather Machine" to protect the nation and guide us safely through this terrible attack by a
clearly upset Mother Gaia.
We had a very heavy dew in Michigan yesterday morning. It was horrifying, it soaked my shoes and my feet were wet till I took my socks off.
I need some FEMA money.
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