About that storm hype - I'm 275 miles from NYC, 325 from Boston

[hedgehog]

and we're getting wind and rain from the storm. It's not bad - i don't expect damage although i won't be walking the dogs in our woods today. But still, 275 miles from the eye?

[kdmorris]

1. I think that you might have a misperception on what is meant by hype

Saying that the media is hyping the storm is not saying that there is no storm. A Category 1 storm is not anything to play with, but it's not "the storm of a lifetime". And Irene has always had a very large windfield.

That being said - it has been pointed out (rightfully) that until the storm passes it's insensitive to discuss the media hype, so we shall just discuss it tomorrow, yes?

[malaise]

2. When it's affecting so many states it is a storm of a lifetime n/t

[smokey nj]

10. The March 1993 storm affected more states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Storm_of_the_Century

[kdmorris]

13. Wow, Malaise. I truly thought that you, of all people, would know better.

But I guess we will agree to disagree.

[LynneSin]

Oh this may not be the 'Storm of a Lifetime' but it's up there in the top 10

Only because of the sheer number of people impacted by this storm. There hasn't been a hurricane to make a direct impact on NYC in centuries. This hurricane impacted Washington, DC, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, NYC, Boston - anyone near I95 felt Irene's wrath.

[former9thward]

12. No it is not in the top 10 or even the top 100.

At the height of Irene in NYC you could see people walking and biking in Times Square. As far as the number of people "impacted" by the storm I guess it depends on what your definition of 'impacted' is. If some rain coming down means impacted to you but not to me. This at best was a Category 1 Hurricane which has 1% of the power of a Category 5 (Katrina).

[kdmorris]

17. And there has still not been a direct hit on NYC by a hurricane

She had already weakened to a Tropical Storm when she hit.

Just for your education, these storms (Mostly Tropical Storms or Hurricanes that landed just to the right of NYC) have all been worse for NYC:

CAROL
In 1954, Hurricane Carol made landfall in Eastern Long Island and Southeastern Connecticut. With sustained winds over 100 mph and gusts of 115 to 125 mph, it was the most destructive hurricane to hit the Northeast coast since the Long Island Express in 1938. Fortunately for City residents, the storm's track was forty miles further east, and spared it a direct hit, but did result in major flooding throughout the City.

DONNA
In 1960, Hurricane Donna created an 11-foot storm tide in the New York Harbor that caused extensive pier damage.

CONNIE & DIANE
Leftover rains from hurricanes Diane and Connie caused significant flooding in the City in August 1955, even though the eye of those storms did not cross directly over any of the five boroughs. Diane caused more than 200 deaths in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Connie dropped more than 12 inches of rain at LaGuardia Airport.

AGNES
In June 1972, Tropical Storm Agnes fused with another storm system in the northeastern U.S., flooding areas from North Carolina to New York State, causing 122 deaths and more than $6 billion dollars in damage (when adjusted for inflation).

GLORIA
The US Army Corps of Engineers has said that 1985's Hurricane Gloria could have been catastrophic if it arrived at high tide and just a little closer to the City.

BERTHA
A weakening Tropical Storm Bertha brought heavy rain to the City in July 1996.

FLOYD
In September 1999, Tropical Storm Floyd brought sustained 60 mph winds and dumped 10-15 inches of rain on upstate New Jersey and New York State over a 24-hour period.

Flash flooding from this tropical storm — one of the most powerful to affect New York City in a decade — forced hundreds of people to leave their homes in counties just outside the five boroughs. Floyd caused New York City's schools to close for the first time since 1996 and led the city to open emergency storm shelters as a precautionary measure.

[smokey nj]

18. We've also had some nor'easters that were just as bad as Irene.

The December 1992 nor'easter stands out in my memory.

[LynneSin]

8. Oh this may not be the 'Storm of a Lifetime' but it's up there in the top 10

Only because of the sheer number of people impacted by this storm. There hasn't been a hurricane to make a direct impact on NYC in centuries. This hurricane impacted Washington, DC, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, NYC, Boston - anyone near I95 felt Irene's wrath.

[bigwillq]

3. This is a huge storm.

She ain't no joke. She's going to be very costly.

[Eddie Haskell]

5. Irene was labeled "Epic" prior to making landfall in NC.

I don't think this will be remembered as an epic storm. Still, I expect the worst damage to come from flooding in the mountains of the NE.

[Vinca]

7. The "epic" business must give folks in New Orleans a good laugh.

[elleng]

4. Major issues continue inland New England. Be safe.

Bands continue, somewhat less dynamic.
Check Weather Channel if you can.

[hlthe2b]

6. As I said earlier, I thank my lucky stars it has been somewhat less than predicted...

I was told that since I live in Denver, I had no right to express an opinion, since I was not affected.

Yes, I am in Denver. And...I thank my lucky stars that I am not directly affected--Just as I do when there is a multi-car pileup with fatalities and road closures during one of our blizzards or tornadoes.

However, that predicted whopper disaster that gratefully did not materialize would have impacted EVERY American who, in this precarious economy, would be paying for a very deserved, but unprecedented level of response. That level of response could have served a devastating blow to our chances for economic recovery for decades. That said, I would gladly have had our tax dollars go to that response to help out Americans in need. And, I certainly hope that--despite a media "hype" that seems to have annoyed many-- those lives lost and the damage done, remain a potent reminder of what effective government can and should do. I send my best wishes to those who are affected and can only hope those impacts remain less severe than predicted.

Yes, I thank my lucky stars. I think we all should.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. YUP... but people won't do that

and tripple yup

[Island Blue]

9. There was a lot of water damage here in Dare Co. NC

due to storm surge because the sound came up the west side of the islands. Many spots still underwater. It happens sometimes when you live on a sandbar. The winds weren't too bad, although there are quite a few downed trees & powerlines. I've heard reports of other counties between here and I95 that actually have more wind damage than we do (because of how the storm came in). Our winds were sustained about 80 mph for most of the day with gusts to 100+.

Here's an article - the photo is from just down the road from my house. Most of that water began to receed once the winds died down around midnight.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/manteo-nc.html

It wasn't the storm of the century or anything, but there will be a lot of businesses that probably won't re-open for the rest of the season (especially here in Manteo) and lots of homes that will need to be cleaned out. I think most of the national media left here before the storm.

[malletgirl02]

14. North Carolina

You are right there was very little focus if any on North Carolina. It is hard to find information on the damage in North Carolina. The people who were saying it was hyped, because the storm may have did little or any damage in their own area, and their unable to consider how other areas may have been effected. They have myopia.

[Island Blue]

16. It's kind of like Global Warming.

If it's not hot where I am, it must mean that it doesn't exist. ;-)

[kdmorris]

20. That's not what hype is...

NC experienced a Category 1 storm, especially in the coastal regions. No one is saying that a Category 1 storm does no damage or "affects no one". It is disingenuous to say that "people saying it was hyped because the storm may have did little or any damage in their own area, have myopia". You try to frame the message as if saying it was hyped is the result of not getting any damage, rather than a reaction to what the media just did.

A Category 1 storm (from the NHC)has the potential for massive flooding and:

Category One Hurricane (Sustained winds 74-95 mph, 64-82 kt, or 119-153 km/hr).
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
People, livestock, and pets struck by flying or falling debris could be injured or killed. Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes could be destroyed, especially if they are not anchored properly as they tend to shift or roll off their foundations. Newer mobile homes that are anchored properly can sustain damage involving the removal of shingle or metal roof coverings, and loss of vinyl siding, as well as damage to carports, sunrooms, or lanais. Some poorly constructed frame homes can experience major damage, involving loss of the roof covering and damage to gable ends as well as the removal of porch coverings and awnings. Unprotected windows may break if struck by flying debris. Masonry chimneys can be toppled. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof shingles, vinyl siding, soffit panels, and gutters. Failure of aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures can occur. Some apartment building and shopping center roof coverings could be partially removed. Industrial buildings can lose roofing and siding especially from windward corners, rakes, and eaves. Failures to overhead doors and unprotected windows will be common. Windows in high-rise buildings can be broken by flying debris. Falling and broken glass will pose a significant danger even after the storm. There will be occasional damage to commercial signage, fences, and canopies. Large branches of trees will snap and shallow rooted trees can be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles will likely result in power outages that could last a few to several days.

No where does that say "there will be no damage" and no one has said "people shouldn't take precautions". The media DID hype this storm by calling it the Storm of a Lifetime and EXTREMELY DEVASTATING and "North Carolina's Katrina". North Carolina, at the point where the eye passed through the state, experienced Category 1 hurricane conditions of 85 mph. It was not even CLOSE to Katrina. It wasn't even CLOSE to Isobel in 2003, which made landfall in NC with winds of 105 mph. But the media needs their ratings, so they just kept whipping people into a frenzy. I have been told that the local news in NC did not do that and I am truly grateful for that. By giving calm, easy to understand instructions and TRUTH to the citizens of NC, they probably saved lives, and the people of NC will be more likely to listen to them next time.

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Even remnants from a storm like this can pose problems.

Just ask the folks in the Midwest, who caught the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008. And Ike made landfall way down South (in Galveston, TX)

[lynne]

15. We were getting bands of showers from Irene -

- before she made landfall in NC and I'm pretty close to DC. She had a wide footprint and its not unusual to get bands of weather from one long before its in your area.

[HereSince1628]

21. When decisions had to be made it was looking like a Cat 3

When you are in a position of responsibility, you act responsibly. The NOAA had no need to sell advertising and it's forecasts were the foundation for governments' decisions.

I think it's a wonderful thing that the threats are turning into history without the damage that was feared. I think it's great that so many people are safe and well and also that some have a chance to prop up their braggadocia.

It's comforting. We are clearly very close to being back to situation normal.