Since Hurricane Irene has been flirting with our friends and family all along the East Coast, I'm opening up this post as a place for updates, should you want to post any.
I'll start: If it weren't for the news we'd have never known Irene went by. Perhaps it was a little cooler and more humid than we'd normally expect for August, but we're back to hot-hot-hot now—and no less humid.
Next up, I'd like to hear from our nephew in Virginia, who should be feeling Irene's effects right now....
Update, placed here because I can't figure out how to put pictures in comments. Tree down at the Flounder (one of three trunks, actually). Click for larger view.
Photo credits PJS
More photos from PJS, 10 a.m.-ish. That's the view from the Flounder, not from a boat!
(Please note that comments have spilled over to a second page. Click the "Next" button at the top of the comments section to get to the most recent updates.)
Thanks for all the updates! We haven't noticed a thing. We rode up to the top of Pilatus and had a gorgeous blue-sky view of the alps. It was too windy for the paragliders but the birds were having a blast. I do not mean at all to take your situation lightly. We are praying for you and are happy some of you can be part of the rescue crew, though a 48 hour surely sounds difficult. Love in CH
Power's out at the Flounder (and also in Salem). The water has receded and all sorts of people are walking across the causeway, but our relatives are too smart (so far) to go out when the wind is still fierce and there's risk of getting hit by a flying branch.
Well, now that Janet has posted her weather, I'll chime in with what I just emailed Mom personally:
It's a gorgeous, sunny/cloudy/breezy fall-ish day here outside the storm.
Jonathan was impressed by how many states it is covering up.
Sunday is an appropriate enough day for a miracle.
P was able to check out the Maggie, and—wait for it—it was bone dry inside! (Well, except for the usual small leak above the microwave.) There was debris on the deck on the cabana side, so we know the water came up that high, at least in waves, but inside, even the low spots in the bathroom and bunk room were dry.
There is erosion under the catwalk where it meets the parking area, and the boat garden is destroyed. There is significant erosion at the creek—the far bank looks like the white cliffs of Dover, I'm told. Lots of sand was shifted to the grassy area on the sand bar.
But the catwalk, decks, and dock are fine, without damage and without debris, except for that previously noted.
The water side of the Flounder is a mess, filled with logs, tires, and the like washed up from the marsh. And there's the tree to take care of; but we are very thankful that the other two (weakened) trunks did not fall; they are the ones that would have landed on the house!
It's humbling to realize how well it turned out, considering we were expecting the upper bunks to flood, and difficult to imagine how the causeway could be submerged and the Maggie escape. But we are grateful. Thank you for your prayers!
Here's a video from Saybrook, and one from nearby Westbrook.
I was technically in a mandatory evacuation zone here in Delaware, so I used the opportunity to go see Mom up in Ithaca. We were lucky here in Delmarva that Irene skirted further to the east and came during low tide. The beaches have already reopened! We have some seemingly minor damage at the house. I'm hoping not to find any more tomorrow when I get the chance to see the outside of the house in the light. By the time I got home, the clouds were gone and the winds had mostly died down. Now we're looking forward to a few days of beautiful weather.
That's great to hear, Margaret. And of course I am always in favor of going to visit mothers, even Mom #2 should the occasion arise. :)
Granby power returned about 3 a.m.
As listed in a previous comment, we lost power around 8 Sunday Morning. Church had already been canceled the night before in anticipation of the storm.
We passed most of the day reading and playing games. I played Ticket to Ride and then DTB played Diplomacy for most of the rest of the day. I'm still not sure it is finished.
Later in the afternoon, the sun came out and DB and I went for a walk around the neighborhood and into the game refuge. Lots of neighbors out chatting. Small branches down. Nothing major.
Took some pictures in the game refuge (I'll put on my blog later). Water was very high and, based on debris, may have covered some of the bridges at one point.
Power returned 3:15 Monday morning. How do I know? Must be a mother's sixth sense or something. I woke up with my alarm clock blinking 12:02, so the power had been on for only 2 minutes.
D was wondering what the boys would remember of this storm, but I don't think it is really going to stand out. Lots of rain (8 inches) and some wind, but not nearly what we were expecting (thank goodness).
The Hillsboro folks were without power for 25 hours, but otherwise had only some rain and very little wind.
Further impact from the storm. The first day of school has been canceled. Some roads are still closed and traffic lights not working, plus I think there is an issue with food preparation.
So, we start the school year already one day in the hole. I guess we shouldn't complain too much because the weather is supposed to be absolutely beautiful tomorrow.
Glad to hear all are well and the cottage weathered the storm SO WELL!!
Only affect it had on son, Joe, in NYC was that he was ordered to spend an overnight at his work precinct. NBD With love to you all, in HIM, Pami
Power (and phone) finally back on around 8:35 PM. First day of school was held - thanks to Alan for txting me that info this morning. Tomorrow Brian can have a hot shower to start his school day!
Hooray! Still no power in Salem and Saybrook, though. We're hoping for pictures of the beach, which we hear has changed quite a bit. School's out for at least another two days. Guess who is happy about that? :) More beachcombing!
Brrr. Cold showers for the first day of school—that's dedication.
Power has returned to the Flounder.
Our friends are all right, as far as I know, but my old home town of Schenectady/Scotia, New York was hard hit when the Mohawk River overflowed its banks. Collins Lake, on which I used to skate in the winter, took over Collins Park, where I used to play. The nearby restaurant, Jumpin' Jacks—fast food before fast food became popular—was founded and owned by our (then) neighbors, though I believe they are no longer involved. There's a lot of work ahead to restore damage done by the water and mud. Other areas were much worse off. Overall, though, I'm told the damage was more to property than to lives, and people are picking up and moving on—a spirit I remember from my days there. Here's one news report about the area.
We lost power for 24 hours, but since a lot of people in New Hampshire are still without power, I made cookies and brought them down to Public Service today to thank them.
Nice touch, Barbara. :)
