Hurricane Sandy

[Ubiquitous]

What cigar is everyone enjoying for a little hurricane party? I'm savoring a FFP. Stay safe!

[pnoon]

Don't think many are finding the storm a reason to party.
:2

Welcome to Cigar Asylum.

[deadrise]

smoking a casa magna colorado drinking a sam adams lager and hoping for the best.
welcome to CA

[Ubiquitous]

Thanks! I've been lurking quite a while. A lot of great info and reviews. Seems like an amazing online community.

[Remo]

Hope all our Northeast bro's and sister's stay safe, my BIL is in Jersey and says it's about to get nasty.

[PCR]

I live in NW Washington State, I'm here in South jersey/Phila. area visiting family now. Had a Montecristo with my Bro in law tonight.-(P

[SvilleKid]

Sandy is a *****. Mean assed gal, for sure. She popped up right as my wife and I were leaving on a cruise including a stop in Nassau. Sandy stopped those plans. They had to cancel the Nassau stop. Then, we spent 3 days at sea, riding out waves that rolled a huge-ass ship like a toy. Got into port in Jacksonville, Fla on Saturday morning, made it to Va. Beach that evening, being chased by Sandys rain and wind for 9 hours. Spent today getting to the Washington DC area (wife in a nursing contract here). Chased by rain and wind. I guess we will ride out the next several days in the hotel (hospital for her). Maybe, the weather will clear and I can catch a plane back to Bama sometime this weekend????

Nothing good out of this witch for me to celebrate, for sure!

[pnoon]

Sorry to hear that, Cliff. But I'm glad you and your wife are safe.

[Remo]

Sandy is a *****. Mean assed gal, for sure. She popped up right as my wife and I were leaving on a cruise including a stop in Nassau. Sandy stopped those plans. They had to cancel the Nassau stop. Then, we spent 3 days at sea, riding out waves that rolled a huge-ass ship like a toy. Got into port in Jacksonville, Fla on Saturday morning, made it to Va. Beach that evening, being chased by Sandys rain and wind for 9 hours. Spent today getting to the Washington DC area (wife in a nursing contract here). Chased by rain and wind. I guess we will ride out the next several days in the hotel (hospital for her). Maybe, the weather will clear and I can catch a plane back to Bama sometime this weekend????

Nothing good out of this witch for me to celebrate, for sure!

Wow, that really sucks that the weather can screw up a vacation :td Glad you are all safe :tu

[Sonic04GT]

Unfortunately no hurricane party this time. Enjoyed the cool weather with a Rocky Patel R4 earlier though.

[BHalbrooks]

I'm enjoying going to bed after working 4 to 12a and going back to work at 8a until 12a, and I'm hoping they don't make us stay another shift on top of that. I'm sure Boston won't get hit hard. Good luck to everyone else in the upper NE, East Coast area.

[NeuRon]

My home has been evacuated, as i am right on the water in the eye of the stormpath. Wish me luck guys. I dont usually get worried. But this time kinda irks me

[SvilleKid]

Good luck Ron. Hope your home survives, and you are back in it quickly. Stay safe.

[longknocker]

Thoughts & Prayers Sent For All Of You. Hurricanes Are No Reason To Party (Coming From Someone Who Has Been Through 3 Bad Ones In Mobile).

[Coach Deg]

Thoughts and prayers for all on the east coast. Good Luck and stay safe!

[Sonic04GT]

Thoughts & Prayers Sent For All Of You. Hurricanes Are No Reason To Party (Coming From Someone Who Has Been Through 3 Bad Ones In Mobile).

Eh, I'm in FL and have certainly enjoyed some. I could understand though :)

[Blak Smyth]

Wishing everybody the best luck in the storm, not supposed to hit here until later tonight.
I know a couple of my good BOTL are in the direct path in NJ, best wishes to you guys. I will keep you all in my thoughts.

We will be having a hurricane party tonight, not to celebrate the storm but to make the most of a bad situation. I do not mean that to be offensive in any way to those impacted more than myself by the storm. It is a serious matter for sure.

[Brlesq]

I'm in Upstate NY, and the winds are beginning to pick up quickly this morning. Grocery shelves are empty. Winds expected to hit 85mph today. Trees will come down and power will go out with that! Just hope Sandy doesn't stall, and just moves through in a day or two so we can get back to normal.

So I'm thinking that even my torch lighter might not work in that wind. Has anyone here used a blow torch before? I need advice.;)

[Robulous78]

I can use my triple flame in the car with the windows down going 80... so maybe it will work for you...

as for the blow torch... I am no expert... but so long as it burns butane and not propane I don't think it would affect the flavors... propane is a dirtier gas...

[Ubiquitous]

I know that this one does one heck of a job at sea... with wind and rain. http://www.royalmeerschaumpipes.com/JetLine-New-York-Quad-Flame-Torch-Lighter-Red-p/47-140r.htm

[yachties23]

I know I typically don't get worried about storms, but they are evacuating my neighborhood. My house is about 40 feet above normal high tide, and there is concern that we may get water. Packing the Dogs up and heading to family. Wish us the best.

[Blak Smyth]

I know I typically don't get worried about storms, but they are evacuating my neighborhood. My house is about 40 feet above normal high tide, and there is concern that we may get water. Packing the Dogs up and heading to family. Wish us the best.

Good luck Chris and best wishes, stay safe!

[OLS]

I know I typically don't get worried about storms, but they are evacuating my neighborhood. My house is about 40 feet above normal high tide, and there is concern that we may get water. Packing the Dogs up and heading to family. Wish us the best.

If your pad REALLY IS 40 feet above high tide, you are not going to get wet.
Plain and simple fact. But there will be wind driven rain that will FIND a way into
your windows, under doors, etc. Again, wrap your good stuff in trash bags and
keep it UP on something or on a second floor. ANd tie down the stuff you can't
bring in and tell your neighbors to do the same.

[Blak Smyth]

If your pad REALLY IS 40 feet above high tide, you are not going to get wet.
Plain and simple fact. But there will be wind driven rain that will FIND a way into
your windows, under doors, etc. Again, wrap your good stuff in trash bags and
keep it UP on something or on a second floor. ANd tie down the stuff you can't
bring in and tell your neighbors to do the same.

11' storm surge + 30' waves they are calling for, not sure how these numbers work together or how far off shore he is but it sounds like there is potential.

[OLS]

I am worrying for my friend Chingas.....He is RIGHT there in the Raritan Estuary near the Jersey Shore and
that puts him in line for a hell of a disaster in the coming storm surge. I know there are many of us in the
path of doom, but he is my main man up that way. It hurts to know that he is gonna get it. I have ridden out
well in excess of a dozen hurricanes in New Orleans and I know firsthand what you guys are up against.
What's worse is, mine were always in a very temperate climate. You guys are gonna get wet, cold and damaged.
That hurts me. I know all too well the impact of these storms. You have my sympathies and my thoughts are
with you.

And by the way, there is no shame in a hurricane party. It's not like dancing on someone's grave, its exactly
what it sounds like. Hunkering down in a secure place with plenty of beer, water, food, weed, cigars, women,
you name it, and thumbing your nose at the impending doom. Had more than a few in my time. My mother
would look at me like I was nuts. But I would drive out to the bayou and hang out and party long into the night.
NOW that I know how scared she was for me and for herself and my grandmother, I would not do it again, but it
was fun then.

And last, I mean NO ill will to anyone on this one, but a hell of a lot of people are going to get a SMALL taste
(Category 1 or below) of what New Orleans went through in Katrina, Betsy, Camille, and a dozen other Cat 4-5 storms.
I can almost understand that the rest of the country got tired of hearing about Katrina and the lasting physical and
psychological damage that the storm caused the people of the gulf coast, and I hope it doesn't take you five-ten years
to bounce back. It is a complete roll of the dice everytime.

[yachties23]

If your pad REALLY IS 40 feet above high tide, you are not going to get wet.
Plain and simple fact. But there will be wind driven rain that will FIND a way into
your windows, under doors, etc. Again, wrap your good stuff in trash bags and
keep it UP on something or on a second floor. ANd tie down the stuff you can't
bring in and tell your neighbors to do the same.

I'm not terribly worried about my house, but I live on an Island, with one way on and one way off. Back in 92, the bridge was covered in water, and there was no on/off which is the bigger concern. If anything happens we would have no way to leave or get help.

[OLS]

11' storm surge + 30' waves they are calling for, not sure how these numbers work together or how far off shore he is but it sounds like there is potential.

I still think he is fine, but like I said, when these winds come, they don't really gust like normal
high winds, it's an amazing phenomenon to witness, it just NEVER STOPS. And the SOUND is
unearthly. The pressure pushes and bows window glass and water goes right around the glazing and
into your home. As bad as it is going to be, I am glad that many of you will get to experience it,
and hopefully survive without a scratch or damage. It is exhilarating, scary, life-affirming. Back
to the winds, there will still be gusts, super-scary ones. But there is no calm between them, like
I said, the wind just never stops coming, its frightening and awe inspiring and way cool. If you can
do it safely, I highly recommend sitting in a sheltered space like a porch, perpendicular to the wind
direction and watching it come through. There is nothing like it.

[OLS]

I'm not terribly worried about my house, but I live on an Island, with one way on and one way off. Back in 92, the bridge was covered in water, and there was no on/off which is the bigger concern. If anything happens we would have no way to leave or get help.

I guess this will be worse than 92, not sure what you got back then, trop storm force or less?
This looks like a sho nuff Category 1 or better, probably not more owing to the cold water under
the storm, but you are correct in that there will be no way on or off for a good while. What's worse
is that depending on the construction of the bridge, it could be destroyed like the bridge in NO they
called the twin spans, crossing the short side of Lake Pontchartrain. The surge lifted the concrete
road bed and it's longditudinal supports off of the bridge piers themselves and just floated them off to
where they sank to the bottom of the lake. That bridge was closed for years. Hopefully your bridge
span is securely attached in all ways to it's supports. ANd again, I am thinking about all of you and
hoping for your safety.

[OLS]

I tell you one thing, ten feet of storm surge in that area of the country, no wonder all the grim faces at
the weather channel and NOAA. WAY TOO MANY folks in that path of that. I hope that the rainfall
predictions hold up. It would be nice to only swell the rivers a little bit. You don't need wet catastrophe
barreling in from both ends. GO WEST young men.

[BC-Axeman]

I worry about my uncle at Atlantic Beach, Long Island. Shorefront on the leeward side. The surge is going to fill the channel. I hope to find out he has evacuated already.

[irratebass]

Prayers and thoughts sent to all you brothers and sisters and I am hoping for the best.

[Dave128]

Thoughts and prayers to all that are in Sandy's path.

[BHalbrooks]

They just announced they're closing down Public Transportation in Boston.

Worried more for my Wife in the Coast Guard than me.

[tsolomon]

It has been raining all night and the wind gusts and heavier rain is moving in. We are in Maryland just north of DC. The creeks and rivers are close to coming out of their banks, so roads will be flooding soon. They say the worse is yet to come and will be here for awhile. We're just going to hunker down and wait it out. :D

[Bigsam]

The Punisher

[dubleuhb]

Keep yer powder dry brothers and sisters, good luck and hope for the best for all of you.

[DaBear]

I guess this will be worse than 92, not sure what you got back then, trop storm force or less?
This looks like a sho nuff Category 1 or better, probably not more owing to the cold water under
the storm, but you are correct in that there will be no way on or off for a good while. What's worse
is that depending on the construction of the bridge, it could be destroyed like the bridge in NO they
called the twin spans, crossing the short side of Lake Pontchartrain. The surge lifted the concrete
road bed and it's longditudinal supports off of the bridge piers themselves and just floated them off to
where they sank to the bottom of the lake. That bridge was closed for years. Hopefully your bridge
span is securely attached in all ways to it's supports. ANd again, I am thinking about all of you and
hoping for your safety.

While true it will stay a Cat 1, the cold water will actually strengthen Sandy due to baroclinic processes. Luckily that strengthening doesn't include stronger winds, but it does include a larger wind field, even if you're far out from the center(like all you MASSholes), do not play with this storm, y'all will see TS force winds for at least a few hours, probably more, depending on how far the wind field expands.

Stay safe guys. Ain't nothin wrong with a hurricane herf, so long as y'all prioritize your own and others' safety first. :tu

[OLS]

Anyone staying at home ought to have a plan to chop a way out of the attic. Doubtful anyone would have to,
but don't be trapped like a rat. Think about what water you might get and then double it for precaution.
Although anyone near water who is still there today might be a little crazy.

[DaBear]

La Guardia already experiencing flooding, over 6 hours from land fall

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/679473443.jpg?key=1024768&Expires=1351535487&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=fb2eWl9VP9hj4eBXkWQwoZ~Oo84v4ZDrBNmcEiqs rkj~xNhQ-9H0Gz~-6f7X0GP3M~~LA2CF1l-gT4awQojb8CVhVQDLjRZN9f3OyE2qzZQLKtg2qPRvkjr~MdPYI wsj4O8Zj-a6iNtAg8rkPTEo0-6pHi2~PKsiCHjvVeMYZQM_

[dubleuhb]

Wow!^^^ not a good sign.

[mahtofire14]

Tomb Guards this morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These guys are amazing. My dad was a bugler that played Taps there for 25 years and I got to know these guys pretty well when I was young. Really cool picture. They guard the tomb through anything!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c13.0.403.403/p403x403/550367_10151285818069878_543440183_n.jpg

[BC-Axeman]

I haven't heard from my uncle. He is sure to be under mandatory evacuation and has kids inland to stay with.

Atlantic Beach: http://maps.google.com/?ll=40.597271,-73.725128&spn=0.892586,1.653442&t=m&z=10

Hit the plus once and it appears in the middle, on Long Beach. Zoom out a bit and you will see how screwed that is.

[Chainsaw13]

Just reading the local paper that the thumb area of Michigan could experience up to 35' waves off Lake Huron. Unreal. The only saving grace is the low water levels in the lake over the last few years.

[jjirons69]

Jim Cantore said the water could be 6-10 deep in and around Manhattan and the battery. That's nuts. Be careful out there. High tide is coming later this evening.

[ColdCuts]

It's getting nasty here. I don't know how this'll play out. My place is in Evacuation Zone A. My GF and I carried my most valued belonging up to the second floor this morning before getting the hell out of there. Not sure what will become of everything in the basement or on the ground floor. The photos I'm seeing online of my neighborhood aren't good. Fingers crossed.

[Kevin(n)tn]

Best of luck everyone. Thoughts and prayers for you all.

[sikk50]

Tomb Guards this morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These guys are amazing. My dad was a bugler that played Taps there for 25 years and I got to know these guys pretty well when I was young. Really cool picture. They guard the tomb through anything!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c13.0.403.403/p403x403/550367_10151285818069878_543440183_n.jpg

Kinda chokes a guy up a little bit.


I wish all of you the best of luck and will pray for you all.

[dubleuhb]

Kinda chokes a guy up a little bit.


I wish all of you the best of luck and will pray for you all.

Indeed it does.

[Brlesq]

For those of us in harm's way, Google built a special "crisis map" for this storm that is interactive and shows storm path, tidal surges can even show you where the to find an emergency shelter. Good luck, all!

http://google.org/crisismap/sandy-2012

[longknocker]

Thoughts & Prayers Sent For All Affected By This Nasty Storm.

[jkim05]

Tomb Guards this morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These guys are amazing. My dad was a bugler that played Taps there for 25 years and I got to know these guys pretty well when I was young. Really cool picture. They guard the tomb through anything!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c13.0.403.403/p403x403/550367_10151285818069878_543440183_n.jpg
Just a point of clarification, this photo is not from today, it's from sometime in September. That being said, there is a photo on this page: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/193449/that-photo-of-the-tomb-of-the-unknowns-guard-in-the-rain-its-from-september/ that is from today.

[mahtofire14]

Oh weak.....The caption said it was from this morning!!!! Sorry guys!:sl

[Ubiquitous]

Well, no power, the storms a pushing hard and leaning on the trees. We will see what it looks like in the morning. Everyone stay safe!

[joeobx]

It's been pounding down with winds blowing all day here. Supposed to be getting worse as the night goes on. I spent yesterday getting the panel box wired up for my wife and son as I dont know when I'll be back home. They told me to pack for 5 days and I'm looking at 16 on, 8 off for those 5 days.....the fun life of working for a power company.

[OLS]

Just reading the local paper that the thumb area of Michigan could experience up to 35' waves off Lake Huron. Unreal.
The only saving grace is the low water levels in the lake over the last few years.
haha, that's what I'm screamin....my cousin is in bay city, with a house "right on Saginaw bay"....
at least it was when he bought it, lol. Now you can't see the water for all the rosseau cane
It looks MILES out there. if only the water would go way up and STAY impounded....which i guess is possible.

[DaBear]

The Battery has now broken the record for storm tide, 11.62' last I saw, breaks the old record of 11.2' set in 1821. And levels are still rising.

An apartment building at 8th and 14th just had its facade collapse. The apartments on the upper two floors are completely exposed.

[Malakai]

I hope all of you being affected by this stay safe!!

[jkim05]

Oh weak.....The caption said it was from this morning!!!! Sorry guys!:sl

Not you're fault, it's been going around twitter and facebook, and hundreds of thousands of people believed it. I don't know why someone would post a picture of that and lie about the date, especially when it wasn't even the photographer who did so. It seems disrespectful to the guys who are actually guarding the tomb.

[iaMkcK]

Sorry to hear that, Cliff. But I'm glad you and your wife are safe.

My sentiments exactly. Stay safe, and hope you stay out of the worst of it. Good luck!

[DaBear]

MTA reports the subways are flooded. Water levels at the battery are still rising.

http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/plotcomp.shtml?station_info=8518750+The+Battery,+N Y+&flag=0

Updates every six minutes.

[DaBear]

Hope everyone is staying safe. Tide is starting to recede, but it'll be awhile before it gets below the walls.

Mac, how are you holding up? Just saw a pic of the James River Bridge out in Newport News flooding.

[jluck]

You guys protect yourselves....watch your ass and guard your stache.
Prayers for all of you.

[Sonic04GT]

Stay safe guys. I'll light one up for ya on Halloween :tu

[cobra03]

I was listening to the MNF game earlier on the car radio and they kept mentioning how they were playing with the roof open under the stars and it was in the mid 70's out in Phoenix. Sounded realy nice as i watched the rain blowing by sideways. Stay safe out there if you have to be out in this mess.

[sevans105]

I am worrying for my friend Chingas.....He is RIGHT there in the Raritan Estuary near the Jersey Shore and
that puts him in line for a hell of a disaster in the coming storm surge. I know there are many of us in the
path of doom, but he is my main man up that way. It hurts to know that he is gonna get it.

Traded emails with Chingas just a couple of hours ago. He's doing fine...bit of water but nothing a shopvac couldn't handle. He appreciates the concern though. I told him to stop by and say hello.

[BHalbrooks]

Thoughts for anyone in New York, much less CA members.

Thankfully Boston got away pretty much unharmed. Lot of crazy wind, broken doors at the Childrens Hospital in (West) Boston.

[NeuRon]

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted

[jluck]

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted
Take care of you and your loved ones, Ron. That boat will get replaced.

[longknocker]

Traded emails with Chingas just a couple of hours ago. He's doing fine...bit of water but nothing a shopvac couldn't handle. He appreciates the concern though. I told him to stop by and say hello.

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted

:tu Thoughts & Prayers Sent For All Of You!

[Blak Smyth]

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted

Well glad to hear your home is okay, that is most important. Sorry about the boat brother.

[kelmac07]

All safe here...we dodged a major bullet (again). Only got a ton of rain and some branches down. Lost power for about 12 second. Thanks for all the well wishes. Continued prayers for my peeps in NY/NJ. Compared to what we got, they got hammered.

[LasciviousXXX]

I was listening to the MNF game earlier on the car radio and they kept mentioning how they were playing with the roof open under the stars and it was in the mid 70's out in Phoenix. Sounded realy nice as i watched the rain blowing by sideways. Stay safe out there if you have to be out in this mess.

Yeah I can't even imagine what its like out there right now guys. Cobra is right, it is nice and calm over here in AZ but our thoughts are with all of you.

Stay safe!

[BC-Axeman]

"Sandy" is an appropriate name for this storm for those on the coast. "Soggy" would have been good too.
Still no contact with my relatives there but the pictures I've seen are not good for Long Beach Island. Everyone was off the island before it got too bad.

[Dave128]

Traded emails with Chingas just a couple of hours ago. He's doing fine...bit of water but nothing a shopvac couldn't handle. He appreciates the concern though. I told him to stop by and say hello.

That's good news.

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted

Glad you made out OK. Sorry to hear about the boat.

All safe here...we dodged a major bullet (again). Only got a ton of rain and some branches down. Lost power for about 12 second. Thanks for all the well wishes. Continued prayers for my peeps in NY/NJ. Compared to what we got, they got hammered.

All good news, Mac.

"Sandy" is an appropriate name for this storm for those on the coast. "Soggy" would have been good too.
Still no contact with my relatives there but the pictures I've seen are not good for Long Beach Island. Everyone was off the island before it got too bad.

Glad to hear they got off the island in time. I'm sure you'll hear from them when they can get back home and assess things.

[357]

Welp. Im alive... Alot of my jersey shore town is thrashed and in utter ruins. Luckily my home is seemingly untouched. I think my brand new boat is underwater and out to sea.. My Nuclear Plant is in a little trouble due to high tide but are tending to that around the clock. I havent been home since sunday afternoon. Will keep you guys posted

Glad you're OK, and your house too Ron. Take care over there. Prayers sent for everyone affected.

[RobR1205]

One of the most iconic places on the Jersey Shore, Seaside Heights Pier. My home is about 10-15 minutes away, luckily my mom and sister made it out ok. Additionally, the house was mostly unharmed. They still have no power, and are projected to to get it back within 7-10 days.
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o609/robertrubiano92/398194_506917902661060_1586930994_n.jpg
It's sad seeing this because I grew up going to this Amusement Park in Seaside. Still have yet to hear about my high school on Sandy Hook, NJ. They say it was 5-6 feet underwater...

[RobR1205]

But to all those who lost property, homes, etc, it's good to hear that at least you are safe. I think this picture is a comforting one, and reminds us that we can get through this tough time for so many families. Prayers sent to all affected by this terrible storm.
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o609/robertrubiano92/65448_506937492659101_938479479_n.jpg

[emopunker2004]

My aunt and uncle in CT that we just got back from visiting last week made it through ok. Only damage was one tree that fell across the road.

[CoffeeWaterBeer]

Worked last night 4pm to midnight in Baltimore. It wasn't as bad as I expected and got home to some basement flooding and a bit coming in through somewhere in the roof. I'm not complaining and feel fortunate. I feel for those north of me that got much worse. Hope everyone is safe.

I have to say, the drive home through the city was eerie, total ghost town last night around midnight. A few parked cops eyeballed me like I was nuts but left me to my ride. I would have stayed at work overnight just to be safer but was worried I'd have more water damage.

Never did get a smoke in, I'll have a nice one tonight in honor of the first responders , as well as those who have to deal with large scale damage and loss.

[OLS]

Could be the water you see from your ceiling was forced under the shingles and through a seam in the tar paper
and your roof is fine. Wait til it does it again in a rain event to start worrying. hurricanes blow water in through
places you could never imagine. Glad to hear that no one yet is devastated. i like the name of that ride in the
photo...typhoon, lol.

[14holestogie]

Could be the water you see from your ceiling was forced under the shingles and through a seam in the tar paper
and your roof is fine. Wait til it does it again in a rain event to start worrying. hurricanes blow water in through
places you could never imagine. Glad to hear that no one yet is devastated. i like the name of that ride in the
photo...typhoon, lol.

Brad is wise. I have an area in my roof that only gets a small leak when the wind actually blows hard from the due south driving the rain up and under a seam.

[kelmac07]

Dom (Jonumberone) just texted me back so let me know he is fine...just without power. Still waiting on word from Keith (BigAsh).

[EricF]

Dom (Jonumberone) just texted me back so let me know he is fine...just without power. Still waiting on word from Keith (BigAsh).

Good to hear!! :tu

[yachties23]

After what was a very eerie night an a rough morning, made it home ok. All things considering my family got off very lucky. No major damage, and although most of us are without power, for what could be days, nobody was hurt, all our houses are ok, and compared to the utter carnage I saw on my way home, southern Connecticut and Westchester it didn't feel like a tree or power line was left standing.

I'll try and get some pictures up when I get to work tomorrow.

[pnoon]

After what was a very eerie night an a rough morning, made it home ok. All things considering my family got off very lucky. No major damage, and although most of us are without power, for what could be days, nobody was hurt, all our houses are ok, and compared to the utter carnage I saw on my way home, southern Connecticut and Westchester it didn't feel like a tree or power line was left standing.

I'll try and get some pictures up when I get to work tomorrow.

Glad to hear everyone is safe, Chris. Could have been a lot worse.

[ColdCuts]

I got hit pretty hard in Brooklyn. My basement is an aquarium. Still about five feet of water down there. High-water mark in my living room indicates I had about a foot of water in there. But I was smart enough, or lucky enough, to move a good deal of my most-valued belongings up to the second floor on Monday morning before landfall. Otherwise, I suppose I'd have lost most everything. But, end of the day, it's all just "stuff." I'm grateful I have someplace else to be, and I am safe.

[longknocker]

I got hit pretty hard in Brooklyn. My basement is an aquarium. Still about five feet of water down there. High-water mark in my living room indicates I had about a foot of water in there. But I was smart enough, or lucky enough, to move a good deal of my most-valued belongings up to the second floor on Monday morning before landfall. Otherwise, I suppose I'd have lost most everything. But, end of the day, it's all just "stuff." I'm grateful I have someplace else to be, and I am safe.

Thoughts & Prayers With You, Dave. Hoping Things Improve Soon, Brother.

[pnoon]

I got hit pretty hard in Brooklyn. My basement is an aquarium. Still about five feet of water down there. High-water mark in my living room indicates I had about a foot of water in there. But I was smart enough, or lucky enough, to move a good deal of my most-valued belongings up to the second floor on Monday morning before landfall. Otherwise, I suppose I'd have lost most everything. But, end of the day, it's all just "stuff." I'm grateful I have someplace else to be, and I am safe.

Well said, my friend.

[kelmac07]

Keith (BigAsh) texted me last night...he's fine!! He claims to be "trapped" in Cancun but his son has informed him that they are without power at home in Philly.

[pnoon]

Keith (BigAsh) texted me last night...he's fine!! He claims to be "trapped" in Cancun but his son has informed him that they are without power at home in Philly.

I was just thinking about him.
Glad to hear he and his son are safe.

[hotreds]

Glad it appears all BOTLs appear to be safe! . In the Charlotte area we just had wind and clouds. Our way home to Cinci is basically impassable due to snow! Happily we aren't planning to go home until Sunday.

Folks in DC lost power for about 20 hours; but no worse for the wear. Sister in Columbia MD lost power as well but had a leak that ruined her carpet. But, all in all, she also fared well. Trishield is who I'm worried about!

Again., PTL that all appear to be ok physically anyway

[OLS]

Brad is wise. .

I stayed in a Holiday In Express last night. They had the same problem there.

[mariogolbee]

I haven't been following the storm, but yesterday something reminded me of our BOTL on the East Coast here. I just wanted to pop my head in quickly and let yo know you're all in my thoughts. I'll come back and go through this thread later tonight.

[Steve]

Sandy is a *****. Mean assed gal, for sure. She popped up right as my wife and I were leaving on a cruise including a stop in Nassau. Sandy stopped those plans. They had to cancel the Nassau stop. Then, we spent 3 days at sea, riding out waves that rolled a huge-ass ship like a toy. Got into port in Jacksonville, Fla on Saturday morning, made it to Va. Beach that evening, being chased by Sandys rain and wind for 9 hours. Spent today getting to the Washington DC area (wife in a nursing contract here). Chased by rain and wind. I guess we will ride out the next several days in the hotel (hospital for her). Maybe, the weather will clear and I can catch a plane back to Bama sometime this weekend????

Nothing good out of this witch for me to celebrate, for sure!

I saw that boat come in and heard y'all had a bunch of rough weather. Sorry to hear about your trip being cancelled.

[Islayphile]

I was just able to make it into work today and we have power.

Been without power at home since 6:00pm on Monday, but thankfully no damage to anyone or our home.

[OLS]

I realize now that I have read all these items and seen stories on the news that it might have been a good idea to
have a thread where the old hands from down in Dixie could pass on hard-bought advice on storms of this nature that
could really help when the sand starts filling the streets miles from the beach. I apologize for this, and in truth, I only
have a few tips of my own, but I am going to start a thread where we can pop em in as we think of them so that
the next time something like this looms large, people can benefit. Sorry I did not do it before.

[AD720]

Keith (BigAsh) texted me last night...he's fine!! He claims to be "trapped" in Cancun but his son has informed him that they are without power at home in Philly.

Good to hear. I wonder how Joel (yourchoice) is doing.

All told we got really lucky in philly. Downed trees, power lines so lots of folks still without power but there is really nothing to say but we got really lucky.

[BC-Axeman]

Just heard from my uncle. Had five feet of water on the first floor. Siding is warping. Boat gone, dock smashed by some other boat there. Yard scoured and left with debris. Both cars gone. Sewers backed up. Nearby houses burned down. 114 looters arrested, so far. No power. 6 to 6 curfew. His last description, "total devastation".
All the family is fine, besides.

[joeobx]

Just got home from working hurricane restoration and getting just about everyone in our service area back on. The company has released all of our off system contractors and a good portion of our on system contractors plus a large contingent of our own linemen to head to NJ and NY. So to our brothers and sisters up north, more help is on the way. I know there will be a lot of frustration from being without power for this long, just remember when you see these guys out there, they have been working 14 to 16 hour days with 8 to 10 hours off for 4 days already.

[Dave128]

Just heard from my uncle. Had five feet of water on the first floor. Siding is warping. Boat gone, dock smashed by some other boat there. Yard scoured and left with debris. Both cars gone. Sewers backed up. Nearby houses burned down. 114 looters arrested, so far. No power. 6 to 6 curfew. His last description, "total devastation".
All the family is fine, besides.

That really sucks that they had that much damage. Awesome news that the family made out OK.

[Dave128]

Just got home from working hurricane restoration and getting just about everyone in our service area back on. The company has released all of our off system contractors and a good portion of our on system contractors plus a large contingent of our own linemen to head to NJ and NY. So to our brothers and sisters up north, more help is on the way. I know there will be a lot of frustration from being without power for this long, just remember when you see these guys out there, they have been working 14 to 16 hour days with 8 to 10 hours off for 4 days already.

Those areas nead all the help they can get.

Not sure if true or not, but - I heard on the radio this morning that a group of workers from Alabama (I think) made their way to either NYC or NJ and got turned away because they were all non-union employees. I really do hope that this wasn't a true story.

[joeobx]

Those areas nead all the help they can get.

Not sure if true or not, but - I heard on the radio this morning that a group of workers from Alabama (I think) made their way to either NYC or NJ and got turned away because they were all non-union employees. I really do hope that this wasn't a true story.

I doubt it's true, just about all of our contractors are non-union.

[Dave128]

I doubt it's true, just about all of our contractors are non-union.

That's good to hear.

[BC-Axeman]

That really sucks that they had that much damage. Awesome news that the family made out OK.
Relatively OK. They have pulled together at the one cousin's house that still has power.
Saw some helicopter footage on the news this morning. Wow! I sure hope they can get power, fuel, and food back there quickly. And clothing. A lot of people have wiped out clothing and no way to wash and dry it.

[NeuRon]

Just heard from my uncle. Had five feet of water on the first floor. Siding is warping. Boat gone, dock smashed by some other boat there. Yard scoured and left with debris. Both cars gone. Sewers backed up. Nearby houses burned down. 114 looters arrested, so far. No power. 6 to 6 curfew. His last description, "total devastation".
All the family is fine, besides.

yep, sounds about right...
the places i grew up, lived, spent my favorite years... Are complete losses... makes me cry..

i am very happy that me, my family and my home have miraculously made it out unscathed.. But this storm will affect this county for years and years to come..

[Thrak]

I doubt it's true, just about all of our contractors are non-union.

Its true... turned away in NJ due to being non-union.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/hurricane-devastated-nj-town-rejects-non-union-alabama-electrical-workers/

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Non-union-Alabama-crews-say-storm-help-rejected-4003388.php

Baffling...

To clarify, this was released not too long ago.

http://money.msn.com/politics/post.aspx?post=f10196ea-b637-4c70-9e4e-daf819b06d38

Basically it sounds like they were trying to force them to join the union, before they would let them work, but before any of that was done the job was completed... strange really that they would ask them to join the union. *shrug*

[jjirons69]

Its true... turned away in NJ due to being non-union.



:bh Sweet Lord, life is a constant series of surprises...

One of the best quotes that I agree with from one of those links - "This story should be a headline on every News Outlet."

[joeobx]

:bh Sweet Lord, life is a constant series of surprises...

One of the best quotes that I agree with from one of those links - "This story should be a headline on every News Outlet."

NO. This is the best qoute from the MSN artical.

"The lesson here, however, is the same one that parents everywhere teach their children: Don't believe everything you read."

The ALA. crew got some bad info.

[jjirons69]

But the Internet said it - it's got to be true. :)

Thanks, Joe!

[SvilleKid]

NO. This is the best qoute from the MSN artical.

"The lesson here, however, is the same one that parents everywhere teach their children: Don't believe everything you read."

The ALA. crew got some bad info.

Yeah, that must be it. The Non-union crew from the rural co-op got a different story than the union crews from AlaPowCo. Being uneducated, non-union rednecks from Bama, and probably can't even read, I'm sure they just misunderstood the intentions of the union reps!

Interesting enough, the local news station that broke the story reports they are satisfied with the information they gathered from several sources, and stand behind the story. But, we all know MSNBC is the Bastille of creditable reporting, so I'd hang my hat on their word any day. I'm sure the crew from Bama drove all the way up to Virginia BEFORE the storm, spent their time and money, took their chances riding out the storm, just to make up a story to make an over zealous union rep look bad. Sorry, I don't buy the IBEW rep's explanation. My wife and I actually passed the AlaPowCo and the Co-op trucks Saturday before the storm on I-95, headed north on the outskirts of DC, so I know personally they were very near where they said they were, when they said they were.

[SvilleKid]

My wife has several "shared" Facebook posts from NJ residents thanking AlaPowCo crews for clearing trees from roads and lines, with a couple posts mentioning that NJ electrical service crews were NOT allowed to do that type of work, but the AlaPowCo crews just did it anyway and got the job done.

I think the "bad" part about the union "misunderstanding" is that it could be taken that the crews were unwanted and/or unappreciated by the people of NJ.
But based on the FB posts from several days ago, I'd say the residents fully appreciated the efforts. However, I saw an article today where residents in some areas were throwing eggs at utility crews today. That's poor gratitude. While its based in frustration, it's a demonstration of lack of patience. I live 5 hours north of the Gulf Coast. In the last 20 years, we have lost power for extended periods seven times as a result of hurricane effects, with Katrenia being the latest, where we were without power for 10 days. The tornados that destroyed Tuscaloosa 2 years ago tracked half a mile south of my house. Left us without power for 7 days. In the Gulf areas, we know that there are levels of destruction that get first attention, and the rest of us have to wait out those efforts. Throwing eggs at the crews working long and dangerous hours in areas that are often far from their homes and families just never entered my mind as a way to get faster service.

[BC-Axeman]

I wrote and deleted three posts before I wrote this.
I only pray that things get better fast there.

[SvilleKid]

I wrote and deleted three posts before I wrote this.
I only pray that things get better fast there.

I sincerely hope so too. But I don't see that happening. I've seen it too many times down here to know that "Fast" and "recovery" don't go hand in hand. That's IN NO WAY meant to be a negative reflection on the efforts of the crews Or of the residents. It's just experience. As a society, we are given more and more to expect everything NOW! It just doesn't work that way wit cleanup and recovery, where the basic intrastructures have to be restored before supplies in a meaningful quantity can be safely shipped in. And it takes time and money and lots of volunteers just to gather and prepare those supplies. And without the ability to store and distribute them..... Shipping them up does no good.

The unimaginable number of people living in such a small area will make this a nightmare. There's just, logistically no way it can happen fast enough for the number of people involved. And, I realize its hard to be patient when you are hungry and thirsty.

[SvilleKid]

Regardless of any isolated misunderstanding of union actions, I just don't see how the outcome of fuel, food, utility shortages could be anything BUT what they currently are. And regardless of the nobility of Gulf Coast residents offering advice to our northeast residents, there really are few similarities that exist where prep and/or advice will or would have made ANY differences to where the NE is today.

In the south, for the most part, we have a low density existence. We have few areas where people live in huge numbers literally on top of each other. In most of our high density developments, we are still attached housing, with multi-level floors of different ownership/ leased space a small percentage of our living spaces. That gives most of us room to store extra food, water and (often) fuel. That kind of prep room just does not exist in areas like NYC or Newark. That's not a criticism. It's just the nature of the areas. In the Gulf Coast areas, we have hurricanes. Often. It's a given, a way of life we can and do prepare for, because it WILL HAPPEN. SOON. And often. In the NE, a killer hurricane is a very rare possibility. There is no way everyone in that area can possibility maintain an adequate supply of staples for such am event, when there's little chance such a storm would happen once in 40 years. Again, that's just the common sense nature of that area. It would be like my trying to maintain the items needed to survive a massive earthquake. It's unlikely to happen. So I have little need to prepare.

And this is different than what the NE CAN prepare for. Sure, the NE is used to power outages. Snowstorms can take out power for extended times. But they are ready and able to quickly open up roads from snow. And that doesn't usually effect heating fuel or Liq gas or sewage systems. Clearing roads, while also trying to fix sewage systems, physically remove debris (but only after time consuming, house by house searches) is a different situation than what can be logically anticipated.

Again, it is going to require time. Time that the residents may not have. I do know that mass riots WILL NOT speed the process. The necessity in New Orleans to have armed NatGuard to protect the recovery crews from violence sure didn't help speed anything up. Hopefully enough supplied wil get into the area, and cool heads will prevail, and civil unrest won't arise to complicate matters.

[joeobx]

[QUOTE=SvilleKid;1743861]Yeah, that must be it. The Non-union crew from the rural co-op got a different story than the union crews from AlaPowCo. Being uneducated, non-union rednecks from Bama, and probably can't even read, I'm sure they just misunderstood the intentions of the union reps!

Where did this come from ???
All I was trying to say is someone got some bad info. I've been doing this work for going on 35 yrs, 32 of which I was a dues paying member of the union. I have worked more disasters than I can count. I came name 4 non-union contractors that work for us including the crew I had this week that are now working in NJ and NY. They do have to be certified to do high voltage work. This is EXTREMELY dangerous work. Some companies do have safety rules in place about tree work, most do not. We had an experienced lineman that has had a life changing event when he was cutting a tree and it rolled on him and broke his leg in 4 places. I know when the crap hits the fan I have never seen a utility turn down help when they've asked for it.

[SvilleKid]

Joe.... It looks like your summation words were that the "Ala crew got bad info. "

I agree that the Bama crew was given bad info But the msnbc contention is that the Ala crew was lying ("not to be believed" is a handy way of saying "lying". ) I think the crew got the exact information, and in the way it was intended. That doesnt mean the rest of the industry or even other union reps are against non-union help in emergencies. It doesn't mean, however, that I think every union rep out there is above reproach. That was my point behind implying that it would be a shame for one over zealous rep to give the whole effort a black eye. What would be the motivation of the Alabama crew to lie?

I find it telling that the union crews from AlaPowCo were given a different presentation than the non-union crew, which to me points to the truth of their story. So, was it a misunderstanding, a rouge union rep getting pushy? It doesn't matter now, because that crew is no longer in a position to provide help, and I've seen nothing from the NJ IBEW president but a tap and dance story suggesting the crew was not able to understand (implies ignorance).

My comments were directed at the reporters blowing the story off as just another Internet falsehood, and NOT at you. You just happened to have the quote in your post from the msn source that basically said the story was a lie ("don't believe everything you read"). Again, you quoting a source, me responding to that source's quote.

[yourchoice]

Good to hear. I wonder how Joel (yourchoice) is doing.

All told we got really lucky in philly. Downed trees, power lines so lots of folks still without power but there is really nothing to say but we got really lucky.

Thanks for the concern, Andrew. Here in the southwestern part of the state, we didn't get it all that bad, really. I'd say similar to the situation you describe on the other side of the bridge.

The shore house is another matter...but nothing compared to Atlantic City and points north. We just had a lot of sand and water (~3 ft of water) and will have some flood restoration work to do.