Reporting live from Center City Philadelphia
 

Hello BFP--

I live about 8 blocks away from city hall (for perspective)--and so far it has not been too bad--fingers crossed. We still have power and although the rain has been pretty steady all day, it has been light at times. The wind is noteworthy for the intermittent gusts which come up in seconds out of nowhere--really quite impressive and at times a bit alarming.

I did witness the death of my neighbor's BBQ grill, which plunged off the balcony to it's death in his garden.

I think I'll stay up until about 2AM which is when they say the initial brunt will have moved through--although there are reports that the storm may hover over the Delaware Valley for about 24 hours and further discussion it could bring snow.

In fact, the reporter was practically glib when he mentioned "some areas are already under blizzard warnings and these regions will have no problem seeing 4 feet of snow"...blase' motherfucker.

That's all I got for now, be well all.

South Jersey
 

I hope you hear from your friend soon! I can only speak for myself, but our power is on, cells and texts are all working (three different cell services), and landline is still working. I'm in Baltimore city.

Upstate NY check in
Pretty mellow here. It's windy, maybe 25-30 mph and raining, but nothing too crazy. Supposed to peak overnight and last through noon tomorrow.
Thankful this is what it is...
Thinking of everyone who is getting slammed right now.

Status quo here. Level 2 ban continues with essential personnel only on the roads.

My building just shook from top to bottom the way it did when we had that earthquake....I can't imagine what caused the shaking, the lights flickered, but so far things are okay.

More inlikely it's the wind. You'd be amazed at how strong the bands of gusts that come off a hurricane can be. Stay inside and safe.


Just woke up from a nap and been reading online how bad NYC and surrounding areas getting hit. Y'all please stay safe and inside if you can.


Keeping Y'all In Thoughts,
Brute.

Just FYI,

While I was on I 80 yesterday and today, I saw at least eight caravans of electric companies from as far away as Arkansas all heading east on I 80 so those without power, please just hang on. Help is on the way and has been for days now. That made me feel good to see all those folks coming from far away to help if needed.


Brute.

response to Sherrie's post
 

Geez, Ridge Riding Sherrie ... shuddering buildings are not a good thing. :(

I wish you had packed up and left!

I have the u.s.p.s. ticket but cannot pick up the surprise box tomorrow because I am downtown in a Microsoft conference all day ... it is being held in the State Capitol building auditorium. If I leave to go to the post office, won't get back in time. Plus ... parking spaces will be a high commodity.

Here is a (f) for you.
Hang in there.
Hugs from Kelly, Kevin and I!
Brock

Geez, I wish you had left there for a few days!

To offer some idea of the expanse of this storm...

Predictions tomorrow in Chicago for this "weather event" (so dubbed by local meteorologists) call for 20-25' waves at the shoreline of Lake Michigan along Lake Shore Drive (fueled by 60mph winds). As of this evening the lakefront trail has been closed to joggers, bikers, etc..

What I can't understand is why nobody is mentioning the possibility of a storm seiche.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiche

I experienced a seiche firsthand in 1981 while on a large sailboat tied up to a dock (we purposefully tied it off to protect the boat, and it worked) -- the water rose and fell 7-10+ feet or so in 20 minutes due to the wind pushing water from E to W across the lake. Which is the sort of wind that is predicted from hurricane Sandy.

:blink:

Wishing the best to anyone being effected by this,,,

My neighbors were just over for a couple hours. We watched TV and snacked and they brought their white English bulldog, what a love. One of them is from North Carolina and knows hurricanes well. She said the loud gurgling of my kitchen sink pink is normal, as is the lapping of the water in the toilet, and how low that water level is. The subways are out tomorrow too, and I won't be going to work tomorrow. The wind is really, really loud. There's an occasional siren and unbelievable lightning, but I'm among the lucky ones who haven't lost power. The wind is so loud I can barely hear the TV at times.

and there goes the power

Power went out here for first time since I've been parked early this afternoon. Back on now though but lordy did it feel like a Green Lanten moment when sky went green from a transformer blowing. Lol.



Brute.