Look Into The Eye of The Storm: 32 Hours Til Isabel Arrives

NHC | 9-17-03 | my favorite headache

[meowmeow]

We (Alexandria, VA) are stuffing as much yard stuff as possible in the shed, including the big planters. I've trimmed back some of the shrubs by the house so they don't whip around and snap. Don't forget to secure your trashcan!

[Howlin]

It's some sort of government mumbojumbo for "We are covering our collective butts in case it doesn't come here."

[Sally'sConcerns]

Sounds like that's similar to what happens in SW Houston when a thunderstorm occurs.

[Hammerhead]

In a cruel, ironic twist of fate, I just received my yearly tax assessment for my new home that I bought in Williamsburg last year (I live in DC) telling me how much it has appreciated.....


great.

[abner]

Checking in...

Looks like we will skirt the big bomb, but get some not needed rain...

[AppyPappy]

She should be OK.

[Howlin]

Stay tuned...

[CobaltBlue]

The wind speed makes it Category 2 but the barometric pressure makes it Category 3. And it hasn't hit the Gulf Stream yet.

[NautiNurse]

Potted plants must be moved to a secure location. I've had a huge 70lb pot topple in a storm.

Don't know where you are located--the grape arbor is a different story. Mine is anchored in 18" of concrete. I might just trim down those grape vines to try and minimize the wind resistance/damage. The aluminum stakes don't sound very secure for a violent storm.

[abner]

Stay tuned...

Absolutely.

[CFW]

FOR CARTERET COUNTY...A MANDATORY EVACUATION IS IN EFFECT FOR PEOPLE ON BOGUE BANKS...

Hmm. Guess I'd better clean up the extra bedroom. My d-i-l's folks may be headed this way! All their property is on Atlanta Beach. Hope it is still there next week!!!

[P.O.E.]

Looks alot like this guy :

[AnAmericanMother]

Here's what I'd do, for what it's worth: tip that grape arbor over sideways, vines and all, and just lay it on its front. Stake it down with the spikes and some poly line. When we have a big blow, I group all the houseplants together in a sheltered corner (there's a nice inside corner on our deck), lay topheavy ones down on their sides.

I would put the tarp UNDER the top layer of wood, otherwise the wind will just tear it to shreds and all your wood will get wet instead of just the top layer. Tie the edges of the tarp down to the bottom of the pile and hope for the best. (Hope the narrow end of the pile is facing into the prevailing wind.)

Don't forget garbage cans and lawn furniture, and take in your flags.

[Howlin]

Believe me, we're ALL changing beds up here! They sure can't go north!!

[southriver4]

Charlottesville VA checking in here. i'm due right smack of the eye for tomorrow night. The eye is due to come up between Cville and Richmond and i'm evacuating to my mom's in Gordonsville. As handle implies, i'm on a river at the base of the Blueridge - big time flood area - so mom's it is. Coleman stove, flashlights, battery operated radio, fresh batteries, canned/dry goods. They are now telling us expect 3-5 days without electricity. No word on the schools yet. God bless.

[CobaltBlue]

For people worried about whether they are in a flood plain, I found this website that will generate flood plain maps:
http://www.esri.com/hazards/makemap.html

This site generates topo maps.
http://www.topozone.com/default.asp

On the Washpost website, I've read that past hurricanes have flooded up to where the Pentagon is now, and onto the National Mall (that's the grassy area between the Washington Monument and Capitol building, for those who don't know that.)

Also, mudslides can block streams. Four Mile Run flooded during one hurricane.

[jawz]

Gov. Easley (NC) is speaking live now (10:11am).

Warning about winds in advance in Isabel for eastern NC (esp for manufactured housing)...

Nat. Guard deployed...

predicted rainfall has increased! 10-12 inches...

flash floods expected along coastlines and rivers...

[Howlin]

I'm listening.

He is actually the most boring uninspiring person I've ever heard speak out loud.

[pgkdan]

Isn't Cantore usually a stronger bad weather magnet?

Last time Cantore was here he scared the storm away.

[sissyjane]

When will Isabel enter the gulf stream?