Comments on: Eastern US braces for "Frankenstorm" Sandy's strike http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: wrecksdart http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568209 wrecksdart Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568209 I lived for a spell in Delaware, and I recall a hurricane making its way up there during the late 90s, early 00s (such a crappy mem...uh, what was I saying?).  60+ mph winds knocked over scads of trees and the deluge of rain kept the area waterlogged for quite some time afterwards.  I'm hoping people prepared as best they could by filling their tubs with water, having rechargeable or hand cranked lights and radios, etc. etc.  Here's to hoping all that preparation is for naught and that the storm dissipates into double rainbows and sparkly unicorns... On the flip side of things, some friends and I scored epic surf over at Cocoa Beach yesterday, so at least Sandy isn't all evil destruction. I lived for a spell in Delaware, and I recall a hurricane making its way up there during the late 90s, early 00s (such a crappy mem…uh, what was I saying?).  60+ mph winds knocked over scads of trees and the deluge of rain kept the area waterlogged for quite some time afterwards.  I’m hoping people prepared as best they could by filling their tubs with water, having rechargeable or hand cranked lights and radios, etc. etc.  Here’s to hoping all that preparation is for naught and that the storm dissipates into double rainbows and sparkly unicorns…
On the flip side of things, some friends and I scored epic surf over at Cocoa Beach yesterday, so at least Sandy isn’t all evil destruction.

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568208 Gyrofrog Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568208 Update: My son doesn't share my sense of humor, and thought it would be more appropriate if Sandy were less mirthful. Update: My son doesn’t share my sense of humor, and thought it would be more appropriate if Sandy were less mirthful.

]]> By: The Life Of Bryan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568154 The Life Of Bryan Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568154 I grew up in Kaneohe, where I experienced Ewa and a few other less dramatic storms. Moving to Wilmington NC, I thought I was an old hand at hurricanes. Then I went through Bonnie, Fran, Bertha, and Floyd within a five year period. I grew up in Kaneohe, where I experienced Ewa and a few other less dramatic storms. Moving to Wilmington NC, I thought I was an old hand at hurricanes. Then I went through Bonnie, Fran, Bertha, and Floyd within a five year period.

]]> By: Clifton http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568149 Clifton Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568149 All the years my daughter was growing up in Honolulu, a hurricane never hit us (though we had a very near miss.)  Last year she moved to Brooklyn before Irene, and now Sandy.  At least she has the hurricane preparedness drill down as second nature. All the years my daughter was growing up in Honolulu, a hurricane never hit us (though we had a very near miss.)  Last year she moved to Brooklyn before Irene, and now Sandy.  At least she has the hurricane preparedness drill down as second nature.

]]> By: Scott Bartlett http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568048 Scott Bartlett Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568048 Great comment. I'm saving it in a Word file for future reference. Something tells me such advice will become increasingly useful in this century. Great comment. I’m saving it in a Word file for future reference. Something tells me such advice will become increasingly useful in this century.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568017 acerplatanoides Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568017  They're open. Just Sayin'  They’re open. Just Sayin’

]]> By: Maurice Reeves http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1568002 Maurice Reeves Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1568002 Here in Central PA, near Harrisburg we're facing a double-whammy.  First off, we have the actual storm coming through, and dropping as much as ten inches of rain while blowing at 50+mph (and the chance of tornadoes on the right side of the storm), but then as the storm treks North dropping more rain on northern PA and Central NY, all of the water will flow back down the Susquehanna causing flooding for long after.  When Tropical Storm Lee came through yesterday it dropped that much and was...well, a disaster. Here in Central PA, near Harrisburg we’re facing a double-whammy.  First off, we have the actual storm coming through, and dropping as much as ten inches of rain while blowing at 50+mph (and the chance of tornadoes on the right side of the storm), but then as the storm treks North dropping more rain on northern PA and Central NY, all of the water will flow back down the Susquehanna causing flooding for long after.  When Tropical Storm Lee came through yesterday it dropped that much and was…well, a disaster.

]]> By: Maurice Reeves http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567997 Maurice Reeves Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567997 Well clearly...it grazed Eastern Florida, and that den of sin Miami before skipping NC, SC, and VA, except for the Outer Banks where "the gays vacation," before hooking left to slam into NJ, MD, DC, and PA, all while slapping NY.  It's like gay central in that corridor, plus Democrats, since Northern VA, et al are trending blue in this election.  Clearly God's backing the Mormon.  ;-D -- if you take the above as my serious opinion, relax and take a deep breath.  It's not. Well clearly…it grazed Eastern Florida, and that den of sin Miami before skipping NC, SC, and VA, except for the Outer Banks where “the gays vacation,” before hooking left to slam into NJ, MD, DC, and PA, all while slapping NY.  It’s like gay central in that corridor, plus Democrats, since Northern VA, et al are trending blue in this election.  Clearly God’s backing the Mormon.  ;-D

– if you take the above as my serious opinion, relax and take a deep breath.  It’s not.

]]> By: EvilSpirit http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567991 EvilSpirit Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567991 1. Flour, on the other hand, (or, say, biscuit or pancake mix) keeps a good long time. The latter can be turned into food with pretty rudimentary equipment if you have any cooking skill at all. 2. The LED flashlight should include a hand crank and a solar panel. Those models are cheap enough these days to have at least one of. Other than that, yeah. 1. Flour, on the other hand, (or, say, biscuit or pancake mix) keeps a good long time. The latter can be turned into food with pretty rudimentary equipment if you have any cooking skill at all.
2. The LED flashlight should include a hand crank and a solar panel. Those models are cheap enough these days to have at least one of.

Other than that, yeah.

]]> By: Nash Rambler http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567980 Nash Rambler Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567980 We're getting mildly clobbered here in Baltimore, with the forecast calling for increased clobbering as the day continues.  I'm not worried. Bread.  Check. Books.  Check. Beer.  Check. Water.  Check. Whiskey.  Check. We’re getting mildly clobbered here in Baltimore, with the forecast calling for increased clobbering as the day continues.  I’m not worried.
Bread.  Check.
Books.  Check.
Beer.  Check.
Water.  Check.
Whiskey.  Check.

]]> By: ztifhael http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567962 ztifhael Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567962 There's a cruise ship weathering out a night here in New Brunswick. Could be that one. There’s a cruise ship weathering out a night here in New Brunswick. Could be that one.

]]> By: acerplatanoides http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567943 acerplatanoides Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567943 It's a predictive instrument, mostly. If it gets that low and you're not sure a store is coming, you look outside. It’s a predictive instrument, mostly. If it gets that low and you’re not sure a store is coming, you look outside.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567937 niktemadur Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567937 <i>Pat Robertson in a seedy room inside Regent University</i> In the basement.  Suit, tie and socks, no shoes.  Rolling on the floor, which is smeared in his own bodily excretions, all of 'em, the whole ball of earwax.  Well at least that what his mind looks like from here. Pat Robertson in a seedy room inside Regent University

In the basement.  Suit, tie and socks, no shoes.  Rolling on the floor, which is smeared in his own bodily excretions, all of ‘em, the whole ball of earwax.  Well at least that what his mind looks like from here.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567930 niktemadur Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567930 <i>Like I'm gonna believe a bunch of radicalized <b>hippie meteorologists</b></i>. FTFY, covering all bases. Like I’m gonna believe a bunch of radicalized hippie meteorologists.
FTFY, covering all bases.

]]> By: trackofalljades http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567926 trackofalljades Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567926 You can be certain that somewhere in Virginia Beach right now, in seedy room inside Regent University, Pat Robertson is conjuring the ghost of Jerry Falwell to ask him exactly what combination of gay people and Obama can be blamed for all this...I'm sure Bill Ayers will at least make honorable mention. ;) You can be certain that somewhere in Virginia Beach right now, in seedy room inside Regent University, Pat Robertson is conjuring the ghost of Jerry Falwell to ask him exactly what combination of gay people and Obama can be blamed for all this…I’m sure Bill Ayers will at least make honorable mention. ;)

]]> By: trackofalljades http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567924 trackofalljades Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567924 I realize you're kidding, but that's actually the smartest thing a ship of that size could possibly be doing right now. I realize you’re kidding, but that’s actually the smartest thing a ship of that size could possibly be doing right now.

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567882 Rich Keller Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567882 From an observatory on the Jovian moon of Io, Earth's Great White Spot looks like this: From an observatory on the Jovian moon of Io, Earth’s Great White Spot looks like this:

]]> By: SumAnon http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567866 SumAnon Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567866  You no take candle?  You no take candle?

]]> By: SumAnon http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567865 SumAnon Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567865  Fellow NJ resident wishes you luck. We were out of power from last October's show storm for 8 days.  Fellow NJ resident wishes you luck. We were out of power from last October’s show storm for 8 days.

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567848 Robert Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567848 Weather Underground? Yeah, like I'm gonna believe a bunch of radicalized hippies. Weather Underground? Yeah, like I’m gonna believe a bunch of radicalized hippies.

]]> By: BarBarSeven http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567843 BarBarSeven Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567843 NYC’s sewage & drainage systems are pretty much mixed together. Any infrastructure repairs here will most likely be mired in red-tape & corruption for decades. We can’t even get the 2nd Avenue subway built.  Wish us luck! NYC’s sewage & drainage systems are pretty much mixed together. Any infrastructure repairs here will most likely be mired in red-tape & corruption for decades. We can’t even get the 2nd Avenue subway built.  Wish us luck!

]]> By: Avram Grumer http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567844 Avram Grumer Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567844 It's true about the bagels! I bought some yesterday.  It’s true about the bagels! I bought some yesterday. 

]]> By: mappo http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567840 mappo Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567840 I bought a motorcycle yesterday at a Honda dealer (DC area), and they could barely pay attention to me due to the overwhelming demand for generators. I bought a motorcycle yesterday at a Honda dealer (DC area), and they could barely pay attention to me due to the overwhelming demand for generators.

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567837 Jim Saul Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567837 We may be comparing oranges to walnuts here... for extra-tropical storms in New England, this may break the current record: *LOWER 48 STATES: 952 mb (28.10”) Bridgehampton, New York on 3/3/1914" http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/article.html?entrynum=50 Still at sea, it seems to have broken the low of 952 during the 1893 NY Hurricane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1893_New_York_hurricane Here are the records for individual cities, but I don't know the conversion factor to millibars. http://www.wunderground.com/resources/pressure_records.asp Assuming it's just classic inches of mercury here, and not some weather-specific unit I don't know, the 28.38 for NY City would be 961 millibars of mercury, but that doesn't seem right considering the 1893 and 1914 numbers above. I hope people are getting to safety, and that in the aftermath we take long-neglected infrastructure repairs and reinforcements more seriously than we have for the past 30 years of lost time. We may be comparing oranges to walnuts here… for extra-tropical storms in New England, this may break the current record:

*LOWER 48 STATES: 952 mb (28.10”) Bridgehampton, New York on 3/3/1914″
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/article.html?entrynum=50

Still at sea, it seems to have broken the low of 952 during the 1893 NY Hurricane:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1893_New_York_hurricane

Here are the records for individual cities, but I don’t know the conversion factor to millibars.

http://www.wunderground.com/resources/pressure_records.asp

Assuming it’s just classic inches of mercury here, and not some weather-specific unit I don’t know, the 28.38 for NY City would be 961 millibars of mercury, but that doesn’t seem right considering the 1893 and 1914 numbers above.

I hope people are getting to safety, and that in the aftermath we take long-neglected infrastructure repairs and reinforcements more seriously than we have for the past 30 years of lost time.

]]> By: The Life Of Bryan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567833 The Life Of Bryan Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567833 I spent nearly twenty years living at the mouth of the Cape Fear, where I became very adept at hosting hurricane parties. So for everybody to be freaking out about a big storm but our area not having to pay attention to it is rather strange. I spent nearly twenty years living at the mouth of the Cape Fear, where I became very adept at hosting hurricane parties. So for everybody to be freaking out about a big storm but our area not having to pay attention to it is rather strange.

]]> By: Artor http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567822 Artor Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567822 I'm ecstatically glad all my family has moved away from the East Coast, although I still have one sister in Hurricane Alley. At least she's not in the path of this particular monster. I’m ecstatically glad all my family has moved away from the East Coast, although I still have one sister in Hurricane Alley. At least she’s not in the path of this particular monster.

]]> By: Andrew Reid http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567820 Andrew Reid Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567820 I'm in Washington, DC. It's a bit tricky to know what to expect, they seem to be anticipating bad things on all fronts. Flooding like Isabel, winds like the Derecho, only more widespread, and power outages complicated by downed trees blocking roads all over the place. As I write this (7:45pm local time), Metro has announced that bus and rail service are suspended tomorrow, and the Federal government, DC public schools, and nearby county school systems, are all closed both Monday and Tuesday. So, officialdom is taking it pretty seriously around here. I’m in Washington, DC. It’s a bit tricky to know what to expect, they seem to be anticipating bad things on all fronts. Flooding like Isabel, winds like the Derecho, only more widespread, and power outages complicated by downed trees blocking roads all over the place.

As I write this (7:45pm local time), Metro has announced that bus and rail service are suspended tomorrow, and the Federal government, DC public schools, and nearby county school systems, are all closed both Monday and Tuesday.

So, officialdom is taking it pretty seriously around here.

]]> By: roboton http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567819 roboton Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567819 At 950 millibars, this is hardly the lowest ever. The lowest I've ever seen was Charley, which hit 890. Anything under 915-910 will be generally speaking, be a cat 4-5 hurricane, anything over 950 will be in the cat1-almost 2 range. Here's a direct link to the storm log: http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/Active.aspx?storm=1&type=log At 950 millibars, this is hardly the lowest ever. The lowest I’ve ever seen was Charley, which hit 890. Anything under 915-910 will be generally speaking, be a cat 4-5 hurricane, anything over 950 will be in the cat1-almost 2 range.

Here’s a direct link to the storm log:
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/Active.aspx?storm=1&type=log

]]> By: vance_tam http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567811 vance_tam Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567811 All major issues from this storm will be caused by the high winds and the combination of a Spring tide and storm surge hitting simultaneously. The wind is driving the water into the NY harbor from the south/east as well as from the north east (from the LI sound). The Spring tide is running on average 4 feet or so. The combined tide is what's going to bring the NY waterfront to a street near you. You can count on most of Manhattan's edges being under a few feet of water. The subways are going to be flooded. Probably a big chunk of Hoboken, the NJT terminal, and the PATH, too. All major issues from this storm will be caused by the high winds and the combination of a Spring tide and storm surge hitting simultaneously. The wind is driving the water into the NY harbor from the south/east as well as from the north east (from the LI sound). The Spring tide is running on average 4 feet or so. The combined tide is what’s going to bring the NY waterfront to a street near you. You can count on most of Manhattan’s edges being under a few feet of water. The subways are going to be flooded. Probably a big chunk of Hoboken, the NJT terminal, and the PATH, too.

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2012/10/28/eastern-us-hunkers-down-for.html#comment-1567808 Gyrofrog Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=190421#comment-1567808 No, no... the other Sandy. (Now to go batten down them hatches) No, no… the other Sandy.

(Now to go batten down them hatches)

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