Waiting for the wind...

11 years ago

and rain, and power outages, and whatever else is coming with the first probable hurricane to hit this area in many years.

Last Wednesday, I decided the forecasters were likely right about the potential track, and even more likely right about widespread power outages. I rearranged the freezers to push all the packages into a compact mass and began to fill the 'empty' spaces with stage containers of water to become frozen insurance. Put the last few bags of water in this morning, they should be frozen solid by tonight. The big freezer is rated to maintain coolth for at least three days if stuffed full and not opened. Will poke a wired thermometer in tonight so we can keep an eye on the temp without opening the door. The small freezer doesn't have a rating, but past experience tells me that it, too, should be safe for at least three days (that's the longest period we have been without electricity since it was purchased). After the third day, I'll be doing a lot of cooking!

Went to the store yesterday for a gallon of milk, sugar, and bird seed. It was jammed, and folks gave my near-empty basket some Looks. I felt like telling them that when it comes to the pantry, I can easily go for 6 months without shopping. I have dried milk on the shelf and don't plan to stick my nose into a grocery until all Sandy's mess is well cleared up.

Anyway, all you folks from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes and northwards:

Take extra-thoughtful care of yourselves.

Comments (6)

anneliese_32
11 years ago
I just wanted to check with you how your preparations are going and there you are. My son in NH was just doing the same as you and they stacked some firewood in the garage. They are not so much worried about water as of windrelated power outages.
I keep my fingers crossed that your problems will be minimal. Keep us updated when you can.
Janis_G
11 years ago
Be safe Mel, sounds like you are prepared.
I hope everyone in harms way will heed all the warnings.

Check in when you can.
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rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
I'm bracing for this with you in my thoughts! Take care!!!
Mrobbins
11 years ago
Smart cookie! Thanks for taking good care of yourself, and for the good wishes.
meldy_nva
Original Author
11 years ago
The big hill to our west, oft-cursed for diverting passing rain showers, this time blocked a lot of the wind. We did have gusts strong enough to bend the upper branches so that they looked like cartoons of trees in a wind, the branches all at right-angles to the trunks. In the afternoon, the wind gauge died after registering 55mph - death by exhausted batteries, not by overwork- so I don't know what any higher gusts actually rated, but higher gusts there were in plenty. The neighbor's oak bent far enough to lift the row cover over the last tomato plant, waving it like a white scarf before it loosened to disappear into the rain.

We -this whole area- were so lucky; newspaper photos of neighborhoods buried in sand, service workers up to their waists in water trying to fight fires, rescue people, clear roads, and restore power exemplify how much worse it could have been here. I am so grateful not to have to face any of the horrors so many others are enduring; and that, so far, no one I know has been severely adversely affected.
mawheel
11 years ago
Meldy, I agree completely with your thoughts; I know how fortunate we were.