Watching and Waiting...
I've been waiting and watching, watching and waiting. Sunday is the day Irene would be here, lasting into Monday. BUT, it's too early to say "We're going to get a hurricane." It is NOT too early to take care of all those preparations that you should always have ready, at all times, anyway. Lots of people don't live prepared; and for them, times like this are the reminder to "do what you should have already done anyway."
So, if you're not one of those people who practices preparedness as a part of daily living, then now is a good time to start.
Otherwise... at this point in time with Irene...
1) Remember that Gloria hit in 1985, Bob in 1991, and we're all still here. Neither storm was "nothing," so don't take any of these storms lightly. Downed wires and falling trees are dangerous, whether they fall in a hurricane or a random afternoon thunderstorm.
2) Remember that it doesn't have to be a big storm to make damage in the lakes region. R2B mentioned that local effects will play a role. In 1999, Tropical Storm Floyd ( a former major hurricane) passed east of New England. Almost everywhere got a wind-driven rainstorm, but the wind funneled between various mountain ranges and hills and amplified, creating pockets of major damage well inland. The coast was spared, by comparison.
When I become more confident of Irene's track, I'll be able to talk about possible or likely *local* effects. In the meantime, plan on an early-season nor'easter with rain instead of snow.
|