Author Topic: Sandy  (Read 1102 times)

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Sandy
« on: October 29, 2012, 06:18:34 am »
Wishing all the best to anyone who is in the path of this coming storm.  Especially Midwif, in Manhattan.

I'm sure hoping that it's not going to be nearly as bad as they say. 

I would guess that maybe half the members (or more?) here will be directly affected in some way or other by this beast of a blow.  Drop us a note, if you can, in the next few days and let us know that you're OK. 

Take care everyone!

Svend

Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook


jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2012, 07:57:22 am »
Actually, the one that is most likely to be affected is Living Proof. He has a "summer residence" somewhere on the NJ coast, almost directly where Sandy is coming ashore. And Philly is going to get a lot of wind this afternoon through tomorrow.
Lynn is farther uptown and on a higher part of the Manhattan (west side of Central Park). But she does have to get to the hospital to work tomorrow. Babies don't stop wanting to pop out just because of some wind and water. But it does sound like downtown Manhattan is likely to be really flooded and immobilized.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2012, 08:26:45 am by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

LivingProof

  • Global Moderator
  • 400 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 892
Re: Sandy
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2012, 08:14:14 am »
Jim is correct, sadly, in this case, as my summer home is a few hundred yards from the ocean in Avalon, NJ that is 20 miles north of the southern tip of Cape May NJ. We did all that we could to button it up and left on Saturday. One factor that is a big plus for us is that our home is located on the highest ground on the island and not subject to floods in the 30 plus years that I've owned it. Hurricane winds will be a test of my new roof and siding. Beaches will take a major hit. In PHilly I face some water issues in the basement, we'll be ok if the power stays on for the next 36 hours, small chance given the projected winds and large trees in my area. Owning 2 homes can be a PITA.

TV this morning shows flooding in excess of anything I've seen and the storm will not reach the coast for 12 plus hours.

The good life has taken a small detour. I promise to do nothing stupid, and, that's thought always in my mind when I'm on skis. Bushwackers body is immortal, I've long since realized mine is fading.

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Sandy
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2012, 08:58:00 am »
Hey Mike -- crossing my fingers for you that you get through this unscathed.  Keep your head down and your wine cellar stocked.

Up here (Toronto area) we're not going to get nearly the intense weather that you are, but we'll not be without high winds (~50 to 60 mph tonight) and an inch or two of rain.  Ugly weather all over the east. 


jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2012, 09:33:47 am »
Keep your head down and your wine cellar stocked.

Wine bottles float, right? Should they be moved upstairs to protect the labels from peeling?
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

LivingProof

  • Global Moderator
  • 400 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 892
Re: Sandy
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2012, 01:04:23 pm »
Thanks for the thoughts! It's good to have internet friends.

It's beginning to get dark at 3 pm and the worst remains ahead. It will be a  long 24 hours until the rain subsides.

Avalon has an emergency website, some pictures are available at    http://avalonemergency.org/
There is already more water than I've ever seen and landfall is 3 hours away.

Wine....never seems to stay in my home long enough to age. When this is all over, a good bottle of red will be enjoyed!

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Sandy
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2012, 01:38:11 pm »
In the absence of a wine cellar, may I recommend a good stock of dry firewood by the hearth, a pile of cycling and ski magazines (preferably all the 2013 gear review issues) and some Woodford to warm the innards.  You'll get through just fine.   :)  Let it blow, baby.

Edit:  just looked at the pics from Avalon...yikes! If that's low tide, then high tide will be darn nasty.  Best to you Mike. Hope your house is alright.

« Last Edit: October 29, 2012, 01:44:24 pm by Svend »

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2012, 01:48:24 pm »
Always the optimist but Sandy is accelerating and should make landfall before high tide. May mitigate max flooding a bit.

But yes, a big storm and a near direct hit.

Best wishes.
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

bushwacka

  • Instructor
  • 400 Posts
  • **
  • Posts: 471
Re: Sandy
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2012, 03:34:29 pm »
I hope all you guys are ok.

My planning on this stunk. I wish I wasnt not stuck closing up the bike shop, and I have no plans no to try to drive though this storm to get to Wv.  I may change my mind on wednesday but who knows.

My guess is Timberline receives 36-50 inches of dense snow from this storm. Lucky if you can get there and ski some early season snow.

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2012, 09:16:28 am »
Things are pretty good here in Northern Virginia, impact of the storm was less than expected. Some 60 mph wind gusts, but limited power outages, especially when compared to the Derecho that blew through in June. I'm speculating that the 'derecho' pruned out a lot of the weaker trees, fewer fell in our area yesterday.
Sounds like New Jersey coast and especially New York City took the brunt of the storm.




This kind of fast-moving, long-lived, large, and violent thunderstorm complex is known as a derecho.
Racing along at speeds over 60 mph, the blowing line of thunderstorms formed west of Chicago around 11 a.m. and by midnight approached the Atlantic ocean. It left a massive trail of destruction spanning from northern Illinois to the Delmarva Peninsula. The National Weather Service has logged well over 800 reports of damaging winds.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 12:04:41 pm by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Sandy
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2012, 09:29:52 am »
Good to hear Jim.  Any word from Lynn? All I see on the tube is a deserted Manhattan, much of it flooded.


jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2012, 10:04:05 am »
Good to hear Jim.  Any word from Lynn? All I see on the tube is a deserted Manhattan, much of it flooded.

She is fine.  The tip of the island (downtown) from 39th street south evidently was/is hit pretty hard. Going uptown (north) there is a crane that collapsed and is dangling off the side of the building is at 57th street. She is at 95th street and is fine.  Never lost electricity. Some loss of cosmetic siding off the sections of her building and other buildings she can see. She has a door that opens onto a patio, there was a spell yesterday when she was unable to push the door open against the winds. They shut down the building elevators as a precaution, but otherwise little impact.
Earlier, all of the tunnels and bridges to Manhattan were closed except the Lincoln tunnel. I assume that they need to do a routine check for damage before reopening bridges.
I believe all of the tunnels (traffic and subway) under the East River are flooded -- those connect Manhattan with Brooklyn and Queens, so the only access is over the renowned Brooklyn Bridge.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 10:20:34 am by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

midwif

  • Global Moderator
  • 1000 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 1389
  • Location: New York City
Re: Sandy
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2012, 10:41:10 am »
Hello Everyone
I am happy to say that all the pots of water, flashlights and candles will not be needed. :D
And some of the extra food I bought will go to a local food pantry.

Yes, the neighborhood I live in weathered the storm relatively well.
Stores were stripped of basic food and there was hardly any bread or meat to be found.

My daughter had to work til 5pm (because a sports bar is an essential business and storms
don't stop them ! I was glad they finally saw reason and didn't make her stay til 7pm.) and I
drove to pick her up. We took a small detour up the West Side Highway to look at the river.
I have never seen the water so high, just about to crest over the bank onto the footpath.

Incredibly, a local pizza joint stayed open and we saw their delivery guy out on his bike at the height of the storm!
I hope the tip was commensurate!

Mike, hope all is okay with you and your residences. Let us know how you fared.

Don't mess with mother nature. She gets pissed in a big way.

L.

« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 11:02:27 am by jim-ratliff »
"Play it Sam"

LivingProof

  • Global Moderator
  • 400 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 892
Re: Sandy
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2012, 12:59:00 pm »
Day Sandy +1 has us staying with our son as we have no power at home. Our local utility has 500,000 customers without service, so, not sure when we will return home full time. The good news is we get to spend some time with our grandchildren. Hope they don't wear me out too much.

Sandy was much less than advertised in Philly and our rainfall was less than 3 inches when projections were 5 to 10. Winds were much less than projected. We were doing great until the winds picked up as the storm center neared us. At 9 last night we lost power. My first career was with the local electric company and our outage is part of a much larger problem in the local area, so, we will get some priority in getting the issue resolved. I lost a gutter and one piece of siding, no water access into basement. All in all, I'm very relieved.

No firm information on the shore home and access to the island is still off-limits. It is not nice to mess with mother nature, especially a mean Atlantic Ocean. Without TV and internet, I've little information about other damage such as NYC is experiencing.

So, glad we all made it through unharmed. I'll update as more info is available.

 

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2012, 01:22:47 pm »
LP:
I'm sure you've seen it, but the Avalon web site posted a picture of the calm as the eye of Sandy, evidently, passed right over the town.
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2012, 03:39:52 pm »

The entrance to the Brooklyn Battery tunnel.
It consists of twin tubes, carrying four traffic lanes, and at 9,117 feet (almost two miles) is the longest continuous underwater vehicular tunnel in North America.
That's a lot of water to pump out.






Superstorm Sandy's toll: Mounting deaths, historic destruction, stranded residents
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 03:41:18 pm by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Sandy
« Reply #16 on: October 30, 2012, 05:22:52 pm »
Wow, that is a lot of water.  Good pic Jim.

Mike -- good to hear that all is well in Philly.  I looked at the Avalon site this afternoon, and it doesn't look too bad there.  Not catastrophic, in any case.  Let us know how things are at your house there. Hope it's all good.  The buildings in town look in pretty good shape.

Lynn -- likewise, nice to hear that you're in good shape there.  Some of the images I am seeing of NYC are really dramatic.  Unprecedented event there.  Seems like you're almost cut off from civilization with all the bridges and tunnels closed.  Will they be airlifting food into central Manhattan? I think I've seen too many post-apocalypse movies set in New York, and my imagination is providing me some hilarious images of zombies walking the streets and feral dogs attacking the residents.  Too funny.  Do let us know if it gets to that in the coming weeks.   ;D


jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2012, 06:20:27 pm »
.... hilarious images of zombies walking the streets and feral dogs attacking the residents.  Too funny.  Do let us know if it gets to that in the coming weeks.   ;D
Yeah, I think that pretty much describes normal NYC life, eh?

Lynn says many of the bridges are opening back up. Lincoln tunnel to midtown is ok.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 10:10:35 pm by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

smackboy1

  • 1 Year Member
  • <100 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: NJ
Re: Sandy
« Reply #18 on: October 31, 2012, 08:47:26 am »
I'm in central NJ and it's a mess here. We're lucky, we got power back after 14 hours but almost everybody else in this area are still dark. The recorded wind speeds here were 82 mph at the peak.
I'm not a ski instructor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2012, 09:07:46 am »
SmackBoy:
Thanks for checking in, and I'm glad you are well, that you have power (and that you have Internet).
It was amazing to me to find out last summer how difficult it was to be without power for a couple of days.
I assume that you aren't near the NJ coast, since people there really seem to have gotten plastered.
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

smackboy1

  • 1 Year Member
  • <100 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: NJ
Re: Sandy
« Reply #20 on: October 31, 2012, 12:19:57 pm »
I assume that you aren't near the NJ coast, since people there really seem to have gotten plastered.

I'm inland, near Princeton, and as it turned out unless you were near the ocean, rising water was less of a factor. There was actually heavier rainfall here during Irene. However the wind combined with the wet earth uprooted trees and took out utility poles (only recently repaired from Irene). Some people are probably going to be without power for a long time.
I'm not a ski instructor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

LivingProof

  • Global Moderator
  • 400 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 892
Re: Sandy
« Reply #21 on: October 31, 2012, 12:25:38 pm »
LP:
I'm sure you've seen it, but the Avalon web site posted a picture of the calm as the eye of Sandy, evidently, passed right over the town.

Quite correct, Sandy landed right where my home is, give or take 10 miles. As was forecasted, the major flooding is north of the eye, so we did get spared from the worst of the storm surge. A friend just inspected my property and it is fine. A neighbor told us that power was never off and there was no water on our street. On a barrier island, the eastern, or ocean side is always higher than the western, or bay / tidal marsh area. Streets parallel to the bay side got 3 feet of water plus, so, there is a lot major clean up. But our island is far better off than the northern neighbors.

In Philly, power was restored last night, totaling almost 24 hours off, and, at noon today the cable tv/internet/phone provider service was restored, so, I'm good to keep spouting my stuff.,

The mid-Atlantic has enjoyed a extended fall warm period, and, Sandy cooled the temps down, at least in the short term. It's finally beginning to feel like ski season beckons. At least 6 more weeks until projected openings of local hills.

Again, thanks for all the well wishes, It's great to be lucky!

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #22 on: October 31, 2012, 12:58:12 pm »

This is as good a collection of pictures as I've seen, and 36-39 are WOW.


http://tinyurl.com/9xjplq9


By the way, Svend, it appears that the remnants of Sandy are up in the Toronto area.  Still packing any punch?
« Last Edit: October 31, 2012, 01:03:03 pm by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #23 on: October 31, 2012, 01:06:32 pm »
......A friend just inspected my property and it is fine. A neighbor told us that power was never off and there was no water on our street.

Again, thanks for all the well wishes, It's great to be lucky!
Excellent news.
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

Svend

  • 4-6 Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ****
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Sandy
« Reply #24 on: November 01, 2012, 09:04:03 am »
By the way, Svend, it appears that the remnants of Sandy are up in the Toronto area.  Still packing any punch?

Jim, we had a good blow here Monday overnight, with some powerlines and trees down in the city and in nearby Waterloo.  But in our town all was fine.  Lots of wind, ~80 to 90 km/hr, but no major damage.  Since Tuesday AM it's been calm and quiet.  Lots of rain, but all is well.

BTW, great link to the photos from NYC and NJ.  No. 40 struck me especially -- it reminded me of the pictures of French or German towns in World War 2, with the entire place wiped out, and only a few pieces of the church still standing.  Very poignant and sad.

My heart goes out to all those who lost their houses and businesses.  I really feel for them, and wish them speedy recovery. 


LivingProof

  • Global Moderator
  • 400 Posts
  • *
  • Posts: 892
Re: Sandy
« Reply #25 on: November 01, 2012, 09:33:20 am »
Jim,

The series of photo's from NYC and North Jersey clearly showed the awesome destruction caused by Sandy, and, are just so depressing to get through. My mind does not want to enter that sadnmess. Most of us watched Katrina hit New Orleans, and, at least for me, thought nothing like that could happen in the northeast. The warnings of rising seas have been out there for years, this begins to personalize that threat.  In a few hours we leave for the beach community, so we will see it "up close and personal".

At Sandy + 3 days, I'm  emotionally spent.

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #26 on: November 01, 2012, 10:58:46 am »
BTW, great link to the photos from NYC and NJ.  No. 40 struck me especially -- it reminded me of the pictures of French or German towns in World War 2, with the entire place wiped out, and only a few pieces of the church still standing.  Very poignant and sad.

My heart goes out to all those who lost their houses and businesses.  I really feel for them, and wish them speedy recovery.
Breezy Point is an especially sad story. Lynn says it is primarily an Irish community with lots of firemen and police. The community lost a lot of first responders on 9/11.  And, there was also an airplane that crashed on takeoff from LaGuardia a few years back, killing all passengers -- it crashed into Breezy Point.
And it's entirely possible that some of the firemen watched their friends and neighbors houses burn that night, unable to get to them because the water was too deep to get their firetrucks through.
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

jim-ratliff

  • 6+ Year Member
  • 1000 Posts
  • ******
  • Posts: 2739
Re: Sandy
« Reply #27 on: November 01, 2012, 11:14:21 am »
Jim,

The series of photo's from NYC and North Jersey clearly showed the awesome destruction caused by Sandy, and, are just so depressing to get through. My mind does not want to enter that sadmess. Most of us watched Katrina hit New Orleans, and, at least for me, thought nothing like that could happen in the northeast. The warnings of rising seas have been out there for years, this begins to personalize that threat.  In a few hours we leave for the beach community, so we will see it "up close and personal".

At Sandy + 3 days, I'm  emotionally spent.
I will say that one big difference, in my opinion, between this and Katrina is the exceptional preparedness, management, and leadership of NYC.  Mayor Bloomberg just seems like the epitome of what a "public servant" should be. Wish we had a lot more like him here in Washington (whichever side of that aisle they sit on).


I'm glad your house is OK. One of the pictures in the series was an ocean front road in Avalon, and it was pretty broken up.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2012, 11:16:01 am by jim-ratliff »
"If you're gonna play the game boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."