Is Irene going to hit you?

Correct about how to set the lines, but I have to differ with you ablout going up river. As you say, the storm surge isn't the big problem. It's the wind, and by going up river you get wind breaks with every tree and building. When deciding where to stick boats thought should also be given to which side of the eye you expect to be on. Do you want protection from the south and east or north and west.

Trees offer nothing but possible flying debris. I want a yacht to be as far away from flying debris as possible. Also, tornedoes are much much more prevelant inland than on the coast. I'll take a strong dock and wide open marina. The condo's along the beach provide huge windbreaks here.

Wow! That track looks pretty hairy.

You are in our thoughts and prayers guys.

Nudged a hair back to the east at the 5am... Still Too far to pinpoint landfall

On my way to FLL

Prince Edward Island

Even the folks up here in Charlottetown, PEI are starting the buzz about IRENE. The local news crews are setting up camp at the end of the dock.
I'm going to snuggle RENA up in the lee of the Charlottetown cruise ship and then head off to Italy for a friend's wedding, while I let the crew "earn their spurs" as my boss puts it.

Good luck to all, and keep safe!!

To all YF Members and Guests located along Hurricane Irene's path, may you all be safe and protected from harm.

So IRENE decided not to attack Florida directly finally (I'd been hoping for that because Florida residents have so much more experience in coping with hurricanes directly), compared with their fellow US citizens elsewhere, whether in N. Carolina or farther north.

Ever since Katrina, I've been somewhat bemused by US central government / individual US states' requests / orders for "mandatory evacuation". As things go currently, it appears that a number of US states have issued mandatory evacuation orders which apply to several 100,000s of residents, as IRENE hits North Carolina.

Please excuse my sarcasm. By issuing these "mandatory evacuation" orders, have the US states individually or otherwise, previously organised suitable temporary shelters for all these evacuated citizens which they "mandatorily evacuated"...?! Or will they be simply "evacuated to" some gigantic sports astrodome where they will be "contained", at the leisure of the emergency authorities? And if any try to exercise their civil rights and escape by their own means, will summarily be shot dead by some US county police force when crossing a bridge or other county line...?!

And what about all their pets? Are they expected "to leave them behind temporarily", just for "a few days"? I recently saw a photo of a small dog on a bed in an apartment 2 decades and more after Chernobyl. His / her completely dehydrated corpse remained on the bed. The photo seemed to show that the dog, confined in the apartment, patiently awaited the return of his / her owner...until death arrived.

Whatever the final outcome of IRENE, where she hits directly etc. (North Carolina apparently), I'd suggest that you don't rely on official US govt. aid in the medium / long term. That will be very late in arriving and subject to so many discussions and political party / private interests that it would make even an Indian politician wince...

Good luck, and good night.

Yes. Wow.

Yes almost everyplace has shelters to go to, often schools or municipal buildings. Pets are a big problem. Most shelter will not allow them. It's always most comfortable if people can find a friend or relative inland to stay with. My guest just arrived with her dog and 2 weeks worth of supplies. (Please God let it only be 2 days or I'll go nuts). No you are not shot or dragged out screaming if you decide to stay, however you will recieve a very strong recommendation and notice that, once the action starts, you will be on your own for the duration. Many do stay put, and often some die because of that decision. If you are staying behind you had best carry ID or risk being treated as a looter in the aftermath. Local emergency service will generally take note of who is remaining so they can be gotten to quickly after the danger has past. Thankfully, our country does not take emergency preparedness lightly. FEMA is a wonderful thing. Even when they don't operate as planned they're still a whole lot better than nothing. The world doesn't speak much about the disasters that strike this country. Few have ever offered to help us. So we've gotten pretty good at taking care of ourselves and our neighbors, as well as the rest of the world.
This afternoon and tonight the area around Beaufort, N.C. (one of my favorite ports) will take a major hit. Let's all keep those folks in our prayers.

Irene is in Pamlico Sound. Already, this headline flashing from North Carolina: "Hurricane Irene batters N.C., 3 confirmed dead"

Maybe a mild tequila rage or solvent out of the paper bag. Scotch is too civilized for such discourse, methinks.

K1W1, having been through Donna in '60 and all the rest to present here in S. FL, plus Gloria in '85 at the Norwalk Cove Boat Show, I'm kind of used to the program by now, yet I shudder at what the storm surge alone has in store for all the stalwarts in coastwise NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA. All the fear ain't worth it--no one's that tough. Easy way to get dead, too.

You know this.

A roll of duct tape and a flashlight and some warm beer
will unlikely counter those dark, hot hours of fear.

What, you stalwarts thought that the A/C, lights, elevators, stairwell lighting was going to be all there for you?
Hahahahhahahahahahaha.

Stay safe, all you sausage creatures.

p.s.: even the pastis-drinking truck drivers in Provence have a higher regard for their fellow men.

Thanks for the good thoughts Loren. but what in the world is a "sausage creature"? Let you know how the lights are shining tomorrow. It looks like the worst is happening right now down in N.C. and Va. 4 dead is the latest. Irene is down to a cat 1 and looks like she'll be heading inland or along the coast so it should continue to weaken.

what's amazing, and worrisome for the next couple of days is that the pressure isn't coming up despite the center being on land, and the inner structure of the storm collapsing.

950mb and holding.. very odd and low for a 65kts storm.

good luck on LI... I'm in the Boat Basin in Nantucket but we're not expecting anything serious.. 45kts or so...

It came up I believe 9 points yesterday. It's been over water most of the day. I suspect you'll see it rise rapidly once it crosses the Ches if it stays inland. If it stays inland LI should be fine, just a c--ppy day. Saw a pic of a NYC sanitation truck getting a snow plow put on. I hope I understand the reasoning, although Bloomberg may still be reeling from his snow fiasco last winter and suffering a little confusion. Looks like you'll be having a beach day tomorrow out there. Enjoy.

Ed, the snow-plow is for getting rid of all those annoying TV presenters off the streets

9MB is nothing... still 951 which is really high after a day over land. that's the worry, this storm is so big it is not spinning down as quickly as a smaller one.

i would guess the snow plows will come in handy to push sands off coastal roads and streets on the south shore.