For you East Coasters

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Just a little rain and wind and, oh yeah, the NHC has added tornados to the possibilities of issues along with the 6-8 foot storm surges.

Unlike some others, I do not panic. Been through these before in L.A. If you prepare, it is no big deal if you aren't literally on the coast. But I don't have that problem

The people who are really gonna take a hit, even though Irene will have almost diminished to a Cat 1 by that time, is Long Island, especially JFK which is right in the path of the eye. They've already shut down all the mass transit in the city and on the island.

I don't panic either.......you living in LA know that is only counter productive.......

But....I do know Mike.....when storms downgrade......those damn outer rain bands can be as bad as anything..........I know as small as a state as DE.....you can't be too far inland.....The first death attributed to Hurricane Alicia in 1983 was in Dallas......300 miles from the coast.

I am fairly prepared for strong winds 100+ (been through several with 80+ winds (nobody here gets exicted about them), another with 110, one with 125 and another with 135 mph/although I was a youngster).......but 15-25 inches of rain will really screw you around.

I lost a roof (most tabs gone) with a 90 mph storm......damn near ripped the hood off of my pickup truck.......the hood latch was faulty.......and a storage building got destroyed by a tree falling on it.....funny that the insurance adjuster never mentioned that I had a separate policy on that building and I got squat because I was too young/dumb and naive to ask more questions.......lol. I probably could have sued and won that one......but again.....young/naive/dumb.......

I had some damage during Ike.......110 mph......my Mom did not have a single tab lift on her roof 2 miles away and had no damage other than trees......I had a lot of screen porch damage and some damage to a garage (along with wind leaks).......lost a big pecan and ash (which I should have already cut down)......my back porch got crunched and I was not able to go out to the back yard through that door for awhile.......and was without power for about three weeks. And I also lost my cat.

I cleaned out my fridge and freezers and had some good bbq's in my moms neighborhood for awhile......luckily, we had unseasonably cool weather after Ike and ice was plentiful from FEMA......

I just hope y'all be careful up there.......

Joel