should I be worried about this hurricane

[JohnKleeb]

I live about 20-30 miles outside of DC.

[VermontDem2004]

1. Right now I would say no

the wc is saying that the hurricane only threatens the carribean islands and should die by the time it hits the states. It is still a ways away.

[qanda]

5. I thought they said it didn't threaten the Carribeans and

it was becoming more and more likely that it would hit somewhere on the east coast. One thing I heard over and over again is that no one, at this point, can put their guard down.

[patcox2]

19. Be prepared to act based on what you hear by Wednesday.

The NOAA predicts it will hit between the carolinas and long island. However, they also predict it will lessen in intensity before then, down to about 100 MPH, from its current 160 MPH gusting to 190 MPH.
Where you are, by DC, you seem okay, no matter what.

I live on a bay 1 mile from the ocean, I am 8 feet above mean high water and the road out is much lower. I am preparing for a nasty windyu rainy dayu with maybe a day or two of power outage. However, if on Wednesday this thing is anywhere near as ugly as it is now, and its headed my way, I am fleeing.

[Don_G]

2. I Would Keep An Eye On It

Here's a link to a site that's keeping a sharp eye on Isabel.

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/atlantic/storm/storm3.html

[carpetbagger]

3. No.

In Herndon, it might give you a day or so of heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds, maybe a few tornados, but even if it came ashore in NC and made a beeline (more or less) for Herndon, you'd be basically looking at a yucky, stormy day, nothing less, but nothing more.

[JohnKleeb]

4. ok thanks you remembered I lived in herndon eh

[electricmonk]

7. Not necessarily

Hugo was still blowing over 100mph winds when it went over Charlotte NC and still had hurricane force gusts when it made it to Virginia.

That said though I'm in SW Virginia and I wouldn't worry about it unless I lived in a flood prone area or along a ridge. As it is I'll just make sure I have some batteries next week for my flashlight because power outages is the most we really have to worry about.

[newyawker99]

20. Congrats electricmonk!! 600 posts

:toast:

[Blue_Chill]

6. I'm right around where you are

and I say no. Weathermen love to pretend that bad weather is coming but out here we never get anything serious.

[JohnKleeb]

8. ok thanks blue

[Cush]

9. last i heard

was that landfall would likely be in the North Carolina area (if it happens). SHould that happen, we in the DC Area would probably get a nice drenching with wind

[myomy]

10. The worst storm to hit DC was Jan,2001, named ÒGeorgieÓ

.

[Trinity]

11. When they say it's comin and it's still a 3-5 be worried...

From FLA here, I don't sweat it till I know it's comin, then get the hell out, one of my best friends stayed at homestead for Andrew, says he will never EVER stay for a hurricane again..... :shrug:


Peace? :hippie: :smoke: :freak:

[Darranar]

12. I'm in the same region...

and I'm wondering the same thing.

[JohnKleeb]

14. Dar

Where are you? and did Tiniore tell you about that DK thing in DC. We may wanna hook up man but I am goin with my dad.

[starroute]

13. You might prepare to batter down the hatches

As long as you're not near a beach or in a flood zone, there's no need to worry about evacuating. But a serious storm can do a fair amount of property damage, and it doesn't hurt to make a survey of where you and your family might be vulnerable.

Assuming you're in a single-family house, you should start by checking outside for anything that could blow away -- wind chimes, trashcan lids, lightweight lawn furniture or deck cushions -- and be prepared to bring that stuff into the garage or whatever. (Also be sure to bring in your cats well before any storm hits.)

Then look the house over for any vulnerabilities. Loose shutters or siding that flap around in the wind can easily be torn loose. Trees can blow over, especially if heavy rain softens the soil around their roots. Power lines can come down. If you can do some quick repairs to make things more secure, go ahead -- if not, just be aware of where the potential risks are.

Finally, if the storm should pass near you -- even if it's down to just minimal hurricane or high-range tropical storm range -- sit tight and don't do anything stupid. Don't go outside to play in it, and if the winds get intense don't sit too close to the windows.

Prepare for power outages by laying in food, candles and matches, and batteries. Hold onto your empty milk jugs or soda bottles this week so you can fill them with fresh water for drinking. If a storm seems imminent, you can also fill your bathtub with water to use as needed for washing and toilet-flushing.

The things I'm saying are based on my personal experience of hurricanes in the northeast, going back to the storms of 1954 and 1955 in New York, plus other bits of advice I've picked up along the way. They should get you through any storm equivalent to those.

[cosmicdot]

15. I lived in the DC area for 20 years ... you know the drill ...

... TP, milk, and bread ... pronto!

[JohnKleeb]

16. I am ok guys

[bikebloke]

17. Shouldn't be a problem

Your biggest worry is if you live in a flood zone, near a creek or along the river. Old Town Alexandria has been hit with high water before. There used to a historic high water marks somewhere around Union St. But it's not something to worry about as if you're in Florida. Though the corporate news will try to stir up panic. So you might want to get your basic info from the web and use common sense. Past hurricanes have produced some sluicings and the odd tornadoes.

[Mr. Brown of MD]

18. Hell, I'm worried too

I live a bit northwest of Baltimore. If this thing goes up the Chesapeake Bay it's going to be knocking right on my door!

First time in my life I've ever really been worried about a hurricane. It's kind of weird.

Hopefully it just passes me by entirely.

-CollegeDude
Will probably be riding it out at school