<p>@DanSkeldonNBC40: After a week of flip-flopping vastly differing ideas…both the EURO and GFS computer models now show landfall in central NJ(Ocean County).</p>
<p>So H finished replacing the rotten porch pillar :). I made a bunch of trips to the dump to get rid of all branches and debris we’d accumulated over the summer. H is cleaning out gutters right now while I am cooking up a big kettle of butternut squash soup to warm us up before we hit the road tonight. Planning a walk by the Bay first to see how things look.</p>
<p>It’s funny–though we “live” up in North Jersey, this feels like our real home to us now, and I wish we could stay. But the place up north is falling apart (very small and old) and needs tending too. Plus, neither of us have gotten any news of school closures, so we need to be up there for work. So it will be a late evening trip up the Parkway for us, hopefully beating the rain.</p>
<p>We don’t have Waffle House in the Northeast. :(</p>
<p>^^^^^^^Drats!</p>
<p>Maybe we can flush the toilets with the water we’ll be baling in the basement.</p>
<p>Well, we now have a generator, apparently one of the last few available in our region. I scouted Home Depots by phone, and H arrived at the only one expecting a shipment literally moments after they arrived. Most of them were already sold. Not hooked up, but we have it. If we have a lot of rain plus a power outage, we can hook it up to our sump pump with an extension cord. Or we can get an electrician to do whatever you have to do to attach it directly to the electrical panel.</p>
<p>My 89 year old mother in CT does not have a generator and doesn’t want one. :rolleyes: Last year she was without power for almost 2 weeks after Irene, and at least a week after the October snowstorm. I tried calling around down there, in hopes of convincing her to get one, but they were apparently all gone days ago.</p>
<p>I try to advise her and not force her into anything, but I’m about ready to put my foot down on this issue. She is very hardy, but enough is enough! (Not that putting my foot down is likely to yield results…)</p>
<p>Juniebug, there is such a thing as a battery-driven sump pump. Not a bargain, since the pump costs about $280 and the battery costs about $125, but cheaper than a new furnace. :(</p>
<p>Southjerseychessmom, I just read Dan Skeldon’s report too. My daughter goes to Ocean City High School ,which will be closed at least for Monday and Tuesday…it is also a storm shelter. I just got the reverse 911 call from OC ( we live in Upper Twp ) Our middle school is also a shelter. Our friends live one house away from the bay , so they are coming over here tomorrow with their two Labrador retrievers. Now it is getting real</p>
<p>The duration of Sandy’s high winds will be what sets her apart from Irene. I slept through Irene, as I spent all day Friday prepping the beach house, getting D1 packed and then was up at 5am on Saturday to get her into her dorm starting at 7am. I collapsed into bed around 9pm and woke up at 7am. By then it was just raining, but the winds were down to <20 mph. </p>
<p>This will be ugly. Luckily it seems alot more leaves are down than 53 weeks ago with the snow. Only the oaks appear to be holding onto their leaves. Most maples & ashes in our yard are bare. </p>
<p>We’ve been cleaning out gutters and bringing the deck furniture inside for the past 2 hours. Still debating whether to make an afternoon run tomorrow to the shore.</p>
<p>We just got word that NYC may suspend public transportation, announcement will be made on Sun. I went out got a steamed lobster, so I am all set.</p>
<p>Never thought I’d post on this thread but on our return trip to Atlanta from Clemson this afternoon their was a steady stream of power trucks (saw at least 50 by the time we started noticing them) going north on I-85 from Florida and Georgia…also, at least 3 FEMA tractor trailers. I hope the storm doesn’t hang a short left turn or we’re in trouble.</p>
<p>I am worried about my house on LBI (the Jersey shore). We are oceanfront. Yikes!</p>
<p>Oh man, Seiclan–good luck! I envy people with ocean front on the islands, except when this stuff happens. We played it safe and bought on the mainland–high ground. Not as picturesque, though.</p>
<p>LBI has a mandatory evacuation at 4pm Sunday, as do all other barrier island. Storm surge will be the issue. Most houses I’ve seen on LBI are on poles.</p>
<p>We can see the ocean from our 2nd floor porch, but feel we are far enough away & our beach has a fairly steep slope & good dunes. I will re-evaluate tomorrow morning whether I head down to move a few things off the 1st floor.</p>
<p>Seiclan,garland , lje and others along Lbi and southern coast- a mid jersey landfall means the possible historic 10 ft surge will hit Monmouth and north. Sympathies to those in that area.
Ije- a business at the beach, your corgis and friend in your house with labs----there isn’t enough wine- you must be very stressed '!!!</p>
<p>Somehow I think my Tuesday 9am colonoscopy will be rescheduled! Guess I can start drinking red wine & eating salsa!</p>
<p>Maryland between Baltimore and DC here. Our trees have prematurely dropped their leaves this year as well. Usually the first big wind after Halloween brings them down, but many of them came down early this week. Good news in terms of this storm.</p>
<p>It is really hard to predict what this storm will bring us. The area of strong winds is going to be huge. I’ve been through a pretty big hurricane in Florida, but the winds died down dramatically even 30 miles inland. </p>
<p>New Jersey, New York City, coastal Connecticut and Long Island look to be on the worst side of this thing. We will have a lot of rain and Tropical winds… And the usual power outages…here.</p>
<p>Nj mom this must be your first colonoscopy- I’ve only had one but would almost prefer anything to postpone it! Yes, you won’t be drinking that horrible stuff - lucky you ;)</p>
<p>The entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine is now under a hurricane warning–simply amazing at the size of this storm.</p>
<p>nope…had one 10 years ago due to GI issues. Given the issues I was having, the prep wasn’t that bad. This one is age-related.</p>
<p>The only thing that’s keeping me from thinking about what it will be like here in CT is worrying about what S2 will be going through in DC. After the derecho, he lost power for 4 days. He’s also the type who would get bored sitting around his apartment and decide to go out somewhere…in the middle of a major storm!</p>