FReeper Storm Check-in (vanity)

9-19-03 | me

[netmilsmom]

Through the week, many of us heard of FReepers who were in the path of Isabel. I personally know Gabz, Corin Stormhands and Consitution Day were in the area. I thought it would be a good idea if we had a thread to ask if someone is ok and let them check in. Prayers to our FRiends in harms way. Thanks!

[steveegg]

Dunno why I'm checking in, but I'm around.

[Slip18]

Thanks for checking in. Didn't ya'll decide yesterday to check in today?

[twigs]

Good to meet you. I used to live in AA Co--in Arnold. When I went back several years ago, I could hardly find my old house because of the change in roads! Glad you got through the storm ok.

[Gabz]

Ya'll remember the troll yesterday claiming that there would be no deaths from 98mph gusts, that that wouldn't casue much damage?

One of the 9 deaths in Virginia yesterday occured in my county. A tree fell on a house and killed the 53 year old resident. In a town less than 10 miles from me.

From the little I've been able to gather this morning, I am very, very lucky. the southern part of the county suffered major damage, flooding and power loss.

[exnavy]

I'm glad to see some of you all checking in. Continued prayers for you all. What's left of Isabel is just about due east of us here in Michigan, not a lot of wind or rain here on Lake Michigan, very dark, cloudy forlorn looking day. Again everyone stay safe, take the cleanup slow and easy.

[kayak]

So glad you could check in today, Gabz! You were in our thoughts and prayers when you disappeared from the hurricane thread yesterday.

MJY ~~~ getting concerned at not hearing from you at all ..... please check in when you can.

[Pyro7480]

I'm in Fairfax County just south of the Washington Beltway. We didn't lose our power for more than a few seconds a few times last night, during the windy conditions. It was amazing to witness. This morning, as I walked to the Metro station, I noticed that a large tree branch up the road from me had fallen on a pickup truck, not really damaging it. Other than that, only some leaves and twigs were blown off. As I was riding the Metro into DC, I noticed that the Potomac was like a raging river. It had flooded part of the Parkway, and the land that juts out where the Anacostia and Potomac meet was covered with water. The water was rushing beneath the bridges over the Potomac at a greater height than usual. It was an amazing things to see. A lot of people around town didn't come to work today. The train and streets were pretty empty.

[NautiNurse]

Had a hard time keeping up with all the news too.

Cape Verde needs to be finished for the season. Of course, I can't get the big Hurricane Alley satellite pic to load this morning.

We still have another long month and change to go before calling this season quits down here.

Baltimore is really in trouble with flooding today.

[aristeides]

Both cities have no public transportation systems functional.

Washington Metro now working. I took it in to downtown D.C. about an hour ago.

At home, in Montgomery Co., MD, we're out of power, and may be without it for days.

[waspguy]

Checking in from Bethlehem PA - we had lots of trees down, and large parts of the region are without power.

According to the police - the Utility company isn't even answering its phone at the moment.

My place came through pretty well - since we had only about two inches of rain and relatively low wind gusts (>50 mph). I did have a big tree in the back shear off and almost hit the power lines coming into the house. Luckily it just missed (though it was leaning against this morning when I pushed it off), and I've been able to clean up the yard enough so that nothing else is going bring down wires. Glad nothing hit the main power lines.

Other than that it's been pretty uneventful up this way.

[Gabz]

Pyro - glad you weathered through!!!!

Heatseeker is in Denton and they had some bad flooding in that area of MD - would like to have a check in from the MD Eastern shore.

[bart99]

Slip -

Thanks for asking. Report from Northern Va:

Here in Northern Va, next to DC, lots of power out, lots of limbs in the roads, some flooding (more expected as the water works its way down to the potomac).

Most significant occurance is all three water treatment plants in Fairfax county (largest) went down. Fairfax county feeds into other juristictions (Alexandria, Loudon). Warnings not to drink the tap water (pressure will be gone soon anyway), not to take showers - conserve, etc.

Power out all around me, but here in Reston, it' s stayed on. No damage, but lots of small limbs (from what I can see without going out) on the grounds. Radio says over 90 roads "closed in places" due to flood water, limbs/trees, or power lines. Advisory not to go out if possible.

Government and schools of course closed.

[Overtaxed]

Corin checked in by phone: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/957942/posts?page=21991#21991

[netmilsmom]

I'm back from doing lunch duty at the school and I'm so happy many are safe and checking in!
I see that tons do not have electricity, so we may not here from some people for a while. If anyone sees a FReeper posting on another thread who is mentioned here, please ping them to us.
In many ways we are one big family and it is nice to be able to give a prayerful thanks that all of us came through safe and sound.
It was raining in MI until about an hour ago. My grass really needed it.

[netmilsmom]

Alright!!! Glad to see you here!

[Hobsonphile]

Do the Fairfax treatment plants also serve Prince William County, or are we in the clear?

Report from Prince William County: We were spared the worst of the storm here on the high ground. We lost power for a few hours last night, and there were some wind gusts that made the entire house shake, but FC and I are in a pretty tree-less area so we suffered no damage.

[netmilsmom]

Oh thank you so much!! He is so funny.

[NautiNurse]

I've always been amazed after storms when proclamations to boil water, follow curfews, etc., go into effect. Folks without electricity and telephones have little opportunity to learn of these issues.

[bart99]

Not sure about Prince William County, but I don't think Fairfax feeds it. Just turn your water on. If the pressure is full blast, you are good to go and not tied to Fairfax county.

[kristinn]

Check your water bill. If it's from the Fairfax County Water Authority, you'll need to boil.