Unless you're in a coma, you know that the "Storm of the Century" is about to hit the East-Coast sometime early next week.  As usual, the networks have trotted out the perennial alarmists warning us about the impending doom. Everything in this country has to be a "crisis"!  I went shopping for some bread and milk today, and the store shelves are almost empty.  People are snatchin' up anything they could lay their hands on, and they're acting like they are about to live out their final days!  I laughed.

Living in NYC, I know NOTHING gets closed in these kind of weather events.  There's always plenty of food, and supplies up the wazoo, within a few blocks from my house.  If it truly hits the fan, I could live on the provisions in my closets for at least three months before I was forced to cannibalize my family.

The only thing that panics me is a power failure, which will mean, no TV.  I will then be forced to actually talk to family members, and worse, interact with them on some level other than the passive.  : ))))

I hope the storm turns out to sea....make that: I PRAY the storm turns out....


Seriously, I hope everyone will be safe.  Watch out for your pets.

Frank

Light the candles, break out the cards and poker chips and drink that beer before it gets warm!

We have the same 'crisis' red-flag warnings here due to Santa Anna winds and high temps. This is the time of the year we had the 2 massive firestorms in 2003 and 2007. I've had 3 emergency calls from SDG&E warning of possible power outages due to high winds...I really need to get solar installed.

Hope the storm heading your way peters out before it hits land.

Sue

Always keep good stock of dry figs, some in the freezer if you wish.
You may be tempted to eat them once in a while but replace them soon.

You know, I've always wondered about the practice of buying up all of the eggs, milk and bread before a big storm. It's like everyone is planning to make French toast for the apocalypse or something. It makes me laugh.

Here in Wilmington, no real worries. I clustered my pots together along the house and they will get a really good watering and perhaps lose leaves. Nothing is dormant yet. Still picking figs off and on.

Stay safe up North. Sounds like you guys are in for it with this one.

I kind of hope we get smacked. I spent thousands on a generator and a transfer switch to power my house. My wife thought I was nuts and still brings it up even though its been 4 months since I had it installed. I would like to have an "I told you so" moment

I too hope east coasters are safe during "Sandy" . Grocery stores were packed today as we were out just getting our weekly fare. We do have some food/water storage anyway so we are set there.
Living on the water though has it's concerns with flooding and storm surge !!

We do have a spare sump pump and our generator's in good shape, plenty of gas  and  chainsaws . We have great neighbors and know that we can count each other.
Hopefully we will not flood badly- our gas heater would be at risk.
Winds of 50-75+  mph could be a problem also. Our home is 100+ yrs old , but we are up a bit higher than the south end of our block-  they had water up to their doors during Irene.

Think of us, say a prayer please- we sure hope we don't get a lot of water damage!

As usual....I should've thought things out before posting such flippant, and insensitive, remarks.  Some of us can be in a dangerous situation.  My best wishes are with you for safety.  Living in NYC for so long has made me think only in terms of "emergencies" in NYC.  I forgot that some forum members  live in the "sticks", and might have to drive more than 5 minutes on unplowed, country roads to get provisions.  Mea culpa.

slingha....  Hope that the little woman continues to break your b- .... (edit).  I hope that you will use the generator for something else other than this storm.


Wishing for all of us to be safe.


Good luck.

Frank

I hope everyone stays safe and enjoys their french toast.

Slingha, If I ever get married again, you will be my new best friend and mentor.

Frank
I really really hope you are right. I live pretty darn close to the ocean so I am prepared, food, water, flashlights etc.
I'll get a case of beer tomorrow and hope for the best.
I don't have kids so probably easier, I would eat out of a can if I had to, kids are fussier.
I almost bought a generator at Costco (kicking self).
Now we wait.

That's asking to get smack with a major storm, for I told you so. WOW...I don't like that one.

Frank , not to worry  !! I didn't take your post negatively and hope no one else did either . I certainly agree that the media does make a lot of stuff disastrous / crisis. The shame of it is we never know and are at the mercy of the reports. We've always felt it was best to be prepared for an emergency.

I'm especially angry and fed up with the media for not comprehensively covering the deaths and situation of Benghazi, Libya where 4 of our Americans died with no help ! As ex military , my husband is fit to be tied about the whole situation!

Media seems to think this is the end of the planet, or close to it. Hope it isn't anything like that.

Pattee...

My first reactions to any hyped-up emergency is always with levity and humor.  People should prepare when the potential for danger is genuine...but trust me, in NYC the biggest danger for some is not getting to the nail salons on time for the appointment!  Some people are ridiculous. Today, I saw some shoppers stocking up like they were going on Noah's Ark.


Since you broached the subject, and out of profound respect for your husband's military service, I will make some comments.  Livid doesn't even begin to come close to describing how I feel about the slaughter and rape of honorable American citizens on hostile soil.  This is not a political forum so I will be brief, and to the point.  Our President, the Washington ass-kissers, his representatives, the collusive, indifferent, media, and the citizens who continue to turn a blind eye to the news about what really went on in Benghazi is nothing short of stunning.  This latest scandal should serve as a vivid revelation as to the true "character" of this "Commander-in-Chief ", and those who serve at his pleasure.  A more reprehensible collection of America-haters cannot be found.  Truly sickening.  I hate what America is becoming.


Frank

We are in total agreement Frank - on all points !!

First off I hope everyone comes through just fine. Weather men definitely like to make every weather event epic nowadays. Whatever happened to just telling the weather?

Also,
I worked in a grocery store for several years as a teenager an never understood why people buy milk and bread in bad weather ( here it is when they call for snow). I can halfway understand bread, but shouldn't you buy something to put on it?

Well said, Frank.

Stay safe and dry, everyone.

Well.....I could not have been more wrong!  Hurricane "Sandy" wiped the smug smile right off my face.  I have been chastened, and will think twice the next time another event like this comes my way.

NYC has been devastated in many areas, and we now have a heavy construction crane hanging like the Sword of Damocles over 57th street.  Everything in Midtown Manhattan around that area has to be shut down.  Fire...fallen trees...flooding....power failures....you name it, we got it.

Hope all that were touched by this storm will recover quickly.  God help all who lost their lives, homes, and personal property.


Frank

Lucky here. All our stuff is under 6-8' of water but we have the dogs, the baby, and each other... and we're in one of the only hoouses in area that still has electricity! We were disappointed about our belongings but then we turned on the police scanner. We are so freakin lucky.

Hortstu...

Very sad to read about all your losses, but you have what's important...those that you love.  As bad as it is, everything can be replaced eventually.  The family can't, nor, can the dogs. 

My God help you all.


I wish it had gone differently...but they were all right with their predictions.


Frank

I guess one has to pick up from that point on... I cannot even imagine. You all must be brave.

Hortstu, Glad you and the family are safe...horrible situation for all in the area. What a mess!

Sue

I live so far away and see pictures and hear reporters, and think to myself I can't imagine. Mike, your post  was so descriptive, so real, for those few minutes that I read and reread I felt could imagine...and it made my heart sink, like I was there. You are strong, thank you for sharing. You all are in my prayers.