Folks along the east coast, please check in

I know that Irene caused some serious damage in many places but I am disgusted by the media for over-hyping this story.

It is about 1PM here, on the border between NY and NJ, and the sun is shining! We have power, phones and all of the other goodies of modern life. It has been raining on and off all morning but it looks like it is over for us here.

Best wishes to anyone who suffered because of Irene and to my neighbors to the north who are getting to meet her now!

Based on who your surgeon is, you can't live too far from me. I too live on the border of NY/NJ and I certainly wouldn't say they over hyped it.  I had no power/phones for 15 hours and I think the only reason we got them back is because I live across the street from a hospital. We were told it would be out for 4 to 7 days because 5 transformers had blown. In my building the generator turned out to be broken, so the elevator didnt work and we were totally in the dark - seniors and disabled.

I live on the 4th floor and besides having to walk 4 flights of stairs in total pain, my apartment was totally flooded - having to empty buckets of water every hour  = it was flying out of both airconditioners  - living room and bedroom plus leaking from my bedroom ceiling.

Today, long after the storm was gone - the traffic was insane due to all the flooding and closed roads - NY state thruway, garden state parkway, Rt 17, Rt 303 plus 100's of local roads. 

And, I am sure my experience is a minor problem compared to many others.  So, how is this overhype?

There were tornados, people died

I am sorry that the storm caused you so much trouble.

I was without power for almost two days and I had to sleep at a friends house so that I would be able to use my CPAP.

And despite all of the road closures, the thousands of people still without power, the flooding and even the deaths that were caused by the storm, I still think the media overhyped it in their coverage. It was as if nothing else was going on in the world!

Just my opinion...

I just found out tonight that my town was actually in the news and media.  The national guard  had to be called in for devopment of houses about 1 mile from here.  Several hundred houses were under water and the people had to be evacuated by boat.  I am not sure how many but I believe about 20-30 of the houses were listed as condemned and no longer livable.

Well we got power back this morning but many folks in our area are still without power. School doesn't have power so we will not be going tomorrow. Next we will have to worry about is flooding many roads around and near school are covered with water or are about to be. At home we lost some shutters, siding and some shingles.  Very fortunate considering. My mother in laws yard is covered in tree limbs guess I know what I will be spending my day off doing.

I'm glad you guys are ok. It could have been so much worse. Try not to over do it.

--g
 

We survived with a couple power outages. The longest was 1 hour. My friend who lives 10 minutes away, was without power for 8 hours yesterday. Today was sunny and they began cleaning up. My hubby works for the electric company so he left yesterday and called today to say he would be gone all night tonight as well. It seems there are still people in NC without power. I'm praying for those who lost their lives. I pray for strength for their families.

Tell your hubby thank you for me. I consider the techs who help restore power after a storm as I would National Guardsmen and other first responders. He is much appreciated.

--g

Finally got power back last night after 15 hours and my apartment is dry.  Super and building management are coming up to check out my apartment tomorrow to see what needs to be done.  They said I dont' have to worry about mold in the ceiling since it is concrete and once it is dry, mold doesnt' form/  They did say they would put down bleach on my floor when they replace fix the floor tiles, so that made me feel better.

Sorry you had such a time with the storm, rbb. I hope you and your neighbors will be taken care of.

--g