East Coast DUers: Start Planning NOW for Earl...

[Junkdrawer]

This storm is a tricky forecast. And almost every new forecast moves it further West.

Almost all the 8:00 AM computer models had it going out comfortably to sea (Except the NGFDL which insisted on a direct hit on NYC.) Here are the 2:00 PM runs:



As you can see they now are all showing a much closer swipe.

So now is the time to get that Hurricane kit up-to-date.

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit...

Unless I miss my guess, panic will hit later tonight or tomorrow. Last I heard, all the stores were still fully stocked. And if it's not Earl, there are a seemingly endless train of storms in Earl's wake. This is shaping up to be a big East Coast Hurricane year.

[LynneSin]

1. Earl is already down to a 3 - I think it's just going to scim the coast

and avoid a direct impact.

The only one who will be impacted by this are the surfers who are looking forward to the stronger waves.

[Cetacea]

3. Don't underestimate the dangers outside areas of landfall.

Flooding, tornadoes and dangerous winds can occur hundreds of miles out from these systems. (I know that you probably know that. )

Medea place too much attention on landfall areas when they cover hurricanes. And then generally ignore the damage done to areas outside of direct hit zones.

[LynneSin]

12. Very valid point.

I know with Danielle some surfers were lost because of harsh currents.

[gateley]

17. When I lived in NC no big hurricane occurred, but with even

smaller ones just traveling up the coastline out in the ocean, you could see/feel the affects inland.

[Junkdrawer]

16. Ruh Roh...Back to a Category 4 at the 5 PM Wednesday advisory....

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?5-daynl#cont...

[LynneSin]

23. Whoops - nevermind

[Posteritatis]

18. As someone whose hometown recently took a "mere" 2 or 3 on the chin I wouldn't underestimate it. nt

[LynneSin]

24. It really comes down to where Earl goes

if it's going to do a direct hit or skim along the coast, I'm hopping for the latter.

[meegbear]

2. Got a stocked liquor cabinet and my cigars will be delivered tomorrow ...

I am all set.

[madinmaryland]

33. I picked up a case of beer tonight!

We actually may get a few showers from the storm!!

[T Wolf]

4. Growing up in coastal Virginia, hurricanes were a common occurrence. We lost a house

(old, family cottage) back in 1960 (Donna), when there was no insurance. Didn't build another one.

As a kid, I did not understand the damage they caused - I just thought that the surf was finally decent and the waves finally big enough to enjoy. I did not see why we had to leave the beach when one was coming.

Now, I know better. And marvel at those who think they can stand up to Mother Nature.

Be careful if you are near the coast.

Inland, just make sure your windows are closed.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. The view from my porch.

Guess I better start packing....

[Junkdrawer]

8. Not saying Earl will hit NYC. HOWEVER...

You do know that a NYC hurricane will not darken skies until 6 hours before landfall...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjWVpY4_sPM

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Scary shit....for sure. They even mentioned where I live..Coney Island.

[Island Blue]

6. My county is currently under a Hurricane Warning.

Got a couple of jugs of water and a box of Pop Tarts. (What's a hurricane without junk food?) That's about the extent of my preparation.

[malaise]

11. That is inadequate

Start with a first aid kit. Set ice in pots and keep it in the fridge until you lose power. Then wrap it in newspaper and put it in igloos.

[Mariana]

36. I'm glad you mentioned ice.

Everybody forgets to make ice. It isn't on the list, either.

[snooper2]

7. East coast can't touch the West coast...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ6-AYUYuEc


better stock up on some Gin-n-Juice while you are at it

Good luck

[malaise]

10. My favorite hurricane equipment

recommended by a DUer two years ago

http://www.campingshowerworld.com/seattle-sports-solar-...

[LynneSin]

13. good to know you'll stay clean during these things

although with a hurricane not much of a chance for sunshine?

Unless there are other uses for this I'm not aware of.

[malaise]

19. You have to bathe and clean stuff days after the hurricane

is long gone. Yes there are preparations needed for the hurricane itself but most of the preparations are for after the hurricane including hot water.

[woodsprite]

14. They're wonderful! We keep one in the back of our truck

when we go to the beach. We do have to put a towel over it, because it will get scalding hot, but by the time we're done playing and back to the car, we have warm water to rinse off with.

[LynneSin]

15. BTW - very important for Pet owners and disasters

If you have a family place you can go to you'll be fine. But if you are relying on hotels/motels, you should always check ahead of time which hotels are pet friendly. Not everyone will take pets and the last thing you want is poor fido/fluffy left behind to suffer thru the storm.

[dgibby]

20. CNN just issued an update.

Earl has restrengthened and is now a Cat 4 again. It has NOT turned, so will most definitely hit somewhere on the East Coast,most likely the Outer Banks of NC; however, if it fails to turn as expected, it will come ashore somewhere around Savannah,Ga. or Charleston,SC. It's 200 miles wide, so the longer it takes to turn, the worse damage it's going to do, even if the eye doesn't come ashore.

Good list of things to have on hand. I'd add to get some cash before it hits, as ATM'S will be out of order.

I'm in the Charleston area, just waiting to see what's happening. The PTB haven't issued any warnings for us yet. There's going to be a whole lot of very surprised people if that thing doesn't turn. I was here for Hugo, just as soon not go through that again. Good luck, everybody!

[LynneSin]

25. What's scary about Earl isn't that it's going to hit North Carolina

but that it will hit North Carolina, Long Island and Boston.

[pipi_k]

27. A sort of scary scenario they're talking about now...

The few degrees of movement between a High off the coast and a Low off to the west.

If the low shifts just a bit to the west, that could open up the potential for an "S" curve, sending Earl slamming right into the middle of New England, further west than originally thought. I'm in Western Mass, and we would most likely not get the dangerous right side of the storm. Boston and the Cape would...

That would not be good.

[Island Blue]

30. To me, this one looks more like it will hit

the Wilmington, NC area rather than the OBX (where I am). Also, Jim Cantore is up here and it's quite the local joke that if Jim Cantore shows up, we know we're safe.

You're right about Hugo - we were expecting it to hit here, but it came ashore in Charleston and marched west toward Charlotte and beyond. My grandparents lived in SC about 150 miles from the coast and they thought they were going to die that night because the eye of the strom basically came right over their house. Totally unexpected expect for one meteorologist in Columbia, I believe who called it correctly.

[taterguy]

21. More nannyism

[Junkdrawer]

22. Been following this one for the past 4 days. As I've been saying....

this one reeks of a worst case scenario where the forecast track changes at the last minute and a powerful storm hits with one day or less of warning,

[Junkdrawer]

26. Kick

[Baclava]

28. yep - this one is a monster - it's HUGE - it would fill up the GOM, just like Katrina did

If something that fucking big was headed straight for me, only 24hrs out, I would already be boarded up and hitting the road, fuck their computer models.

Wait-and-see time is running out quickly for some folks.

[zippy890]

29. heading to the Outer Cape Sat a.m.

for my best friends' sons wedding in Orleans.

local news is not good for Fri. night, but Sat morn -
we're heading over the Bridge! (if its open )

[LynneSin]

31. Are you talking Cape Hatteras or Cape Code

Because I know it's passing Delaware on Friday morning.

[Junkdrawer]

32. Orleans is a town on Cape Cod.

http://www.town.orleans.ma.us/Pages/index

[Baclava]

34. Good luck with that

stay safe!

[Mariana]

35. One thing I don't see on the list

and it's not really a necessity unless you need refrigeration for medications or something like that, but MAKE A SHITLOAD OF ICE in both cubes and in big blocks, as much as you can. After spending a day cleaning up debris in the yard, it's wonderful to have a nice COLD beer instead of a nasty warm one, which is all you'll have if you lose power for more than a day or two.

Seriously, there's no such thing as having too much ice.