Hurricane Irene Set to Hit Southeast US

[baydoll]

Irene May Strike Southeast US as a Major Hurricane

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist
Aug 22, 2011; 11:20 AM ET

" would give Irene time to...become an even greater danger to lives and property at landfall."

Irene remains destined to strike the southeastern United States later this week as a major hurricane. Residents from Florida's east coast to North Carolina are urged to begin preparations today.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is expecting Irene to target the Carolinas as a strengthening hurricane after emerging from the Bahamas on Thursday.

AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski has the latest details on where landfall is expected and how bad it will be for the Carolinas.

Irene strengthened into the season's first hurricane as it pounded Puerto Rico earlier this morning.

The hurricane will continue its assault on the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean prior to reaching the Bahamas.

Upon leaving the Bahamas, Irene is forecast to become a major Category 3 hurricane late Thursday or Thursday night.

Exactly when and where Irene moves onshore with its torrential rain, destructive winds and flooding storm surge depends on how soon the storm tracks in a more northward fashion instead of its current west-northwestward heading.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center currently expects landfall near or northeast of Charleston, S.C., the first part of this weekend. Since the track has had a tendency to shift east, residents of North Carolina need to pay close attention to this storm as well.

This track will give Irene time to strengthen into a major hurricane and become an even greater danger to lives and property at landfall.

Even landfall is expected in the Carolinas, Irene should still graze the Florida Peninsula with heavy rain and strong winds starting late Thursday.

The severity and westward extent of these impacts will depend on how close Irene tracks to the coastline.

It is not just coastal communities in the Southeast that will endure the wrath of Irene in the upcoming days.

Torrential rain and gusty winds will likely spread northward across the East Coast after Irene makes landfall, threatening to cause widespread and serious flooding.

www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/54053/irene-destined-for-us.asp

[jillerd]

hmmm, first a rare earthquake hits the East coast... now a hurricane... waiting for the locusts

[PrisonerOfHope]

Here it is as seen from space; looks like a bad one:

[baydoll]

headed right up my way too.

[baydoll]

Neat Weather Site...

www.stormpulse.com/

[emortimer]

not to worry the bad side of the storm is out to sea and breaks down before hitting.....looks like it is changed track and hitting VA area now

[baydoll]

I'm right on the Virginia border.

[baydoll]

I am just getting over the stupid earthquake and now I have this hurricane to look forward to. All in one week.

The last few hurricanes we went through were not fun. We were without power for a week and it washed out one of our main roads in my neighborhood. To this day you still cannot go down that way.



( modified because the good grammer fairy snuck in and sprinkled good grammer dust on this post. Wasn't that nice of her? )

[baydoll]

Go play somewhere else Irene!!!

[shann0]

jillerd wrote:

hmmm, first a rare earthquake hits the East coast... now a hurricane... waiting for the locusts

You got that right!

[maeday5]

Not looking forward to, Irene. If it tracks as projected, my part of CT., will be on the east side of the storm...this is not good. Wind will be an issue and because of it, downed trees and power-lines. We have a 500 ft. tree lined driveway....it could get ugly.

[emortimer]

send it to TEXAS we need the rain ;D ;D ;D

[baydoll]

I would LOVE to send it down your way emortimer. I hate hurricanes.

Hope it downsizes considerably by the time it reaches you, Mae. I will pray the Lord will keep you and your house and your family safe.

Looks like my area will see quite a bit of action...according to the forecast of this morning, we are facing a catagory 2 (maybe 3) hurricane warning posted for my area which will hit sometime tomorrow afternoon going into Sunday. I'm right on the Chesapeake Bay on the Western side directly across from Ocean City, Maryland. I feel sorry for those people...looks like Ocean City and the Eastern Shore will be a direct hit.

Prayers going out to everyone who is in this hurricane's path.

[baydoll]

Found this on another site:

Tips for hurricane: Fill empty 2 liter containers with water and freeze with the cap on - don't fill too high. Get some dry ice and stash it in your freezer - it keeps a long time.

Gather all of your medications, make a list of them, dosage and how often you take the medicine. Put the list in a zip lock bag along with all of your medications. If you have to evacuate you can just take the bag with you. Don't forget your insulin, syringes, alcohol wipes and blood sugar monitor. Keep it all together, you never know when you may have to run.

If you are almost out of prescribed medication, get a refill ASAP. If power goes out, you may not be able to get a refill if your pharmacy is not on generator and it probably won't be.

Fill up bath tub with water. You can use it to flush toilet.

[maeday5]

Thanks baydoll, I'm sure your area is right in the path too. We'll pray for each other and the others affected by this.

Just trying to stay calm and not worry. Our son's wedding is a week away and now we're all getting anxious about property damage that might disrupt the wedding, extended loss of electricity, etc. We kind of live out in the country, lots of trees and we aren't a priority area for electric co. to restore power to.
And I've come down with a cold/cough. It becomes more complicated because I am in treatment for cancer and my immune system is not the best.
Lord have mercy but whatever the situations that might present themselves, I want to trust in the Lord, be a good testimony.

[baydoll]

Oh my! You sure have a lot on your plate right now it seems.

I will definetly be praying for you Mae. Don't worry, don't stress! Our God is still on His Throne and in control. He will take care of you and your family. And remember what the Apostle Paul told us in his letter to the Philippian church: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

God bless you, Hon!