Thursday Open Thread: Earl Edition
by PubliusThe East Coast (where BG is largely based) is bracing for Hurricane Earl. Having grown up amid tornados in the midwest, this seems mostly just a big thunderstorm, but, man, do people go crazy around here…probably because there are too many federal bureaucrats around these parts…










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I worked North Carolina after Floyd back in 1999, and it was the largest, most vast flooded area I've ever seen. I could drive for hours and still be in it. Houses in Princeville had water into the attics of most houses, and some were even completely submerged. I remember driving up to one house i was inspecting, and I thought it strange that I couldn't see a waterline on the windows. Then I looked up: The waterline was on the second floor windows! I was working that storm until after New Year's and into 2000.
Don't kid yourself, these things can cause epic destruction on a Biblical scale. Fortunately, Earl is not on the same kind of trajectory that Floyd took, but the outer banks could still be toast (But, the outer banks are toasted fairly regularly).
Barry Soet..Dunh.. Obama: Its Bush's fault
<sigh> Living on the coast, we know hurricanes will come. Not *can*…will. I don't expect the government to come save my behind, not even from my own silliness. Personal responsibility. We chose to live here. We'd better have our ducks in a row, and our behinds covered and ready.
If Earl should come and hit hard, then we'll pitch in and help one another…as we've done plenty of times before, and will do plenty of times more in the future…because we choose to be here. Because we choose to be responsible to ourselves, for ourselves.
But admittedly, I pray that this storm will turn from our country and head harmlessly out to sea. Our country has been battered by a huge "storm" already…hopefully, we can dodge this "bullet".
Publius,
"A big thunderstorm"? Really? You need some personal experience to gain some perspective on the subject. Hurricane Agnes came through VA in the early 70's and flooded the Rappahannok River 50 vertical feet over it's banks. And that was 40 miles upstream of the Chesapeake Bay. That wasn't storm surge…it was run-off. There were so many dead cows in the tops of trees that the buzzards didn't need to come to the ground for three months. "Big thunderstorm" my butt. I've been through these storms on land and on the sea, and I assure you they are not to be taken lightly.
Having lived on the East Coast all my life, and now the State of Va… one thing I know for a fact, and that is the people have helped each other more in disasters, than the Government. – People would come from surrounding States to help.
That's ok obama, by all means go play your golf, go on vacation, go somewhere, anywhere, just GO for pete sakes, just stay out of our way.
Good Morning fellow Virginian….wow finally I found someone who remembers Agnes. I can't believe it.
I remember that well, I was a kid in Pa. at the time and my grandma lost everything. The Susquehanna River flooded our whole town. And when you're a kid living in the sticks with 1 tv channel, disasters isn't really a good thing. We lived on a mountain and was stranded because the towns around were all flooded.
I suggest he go sailing! Perhaps some open sea kayaking is in order?
Morning! Wow. The Susquehanna River is a lot bigger than the Rappahannok from what I've seen of it. I had no idea that PA got hit as hard as we did. I was just glad to see it leave. I assumed that it lost strength as it moved north. Evidently not fast enough.
In the immortal words of Ron "Tater Salad" White:
"It's not THAT the wind is blowin'…it's WHAT the wind is blowin'! You get hit by a Volvo and I don't care how many push ups you've done."
I thought I was the only idiot up at 5:00 in the morning. LOL
Actually that flood went up and down the whole East Coast.. I lived in Susquehanna County, all of the little towns, were hit hard….and Scranton is where my grandma was
I was glad to see it leave too.
It's time for another 'vacation' for the Obama's…how about the Outer Banks, N.C…..I've heard it beautiful!
"Now that's funny I don't care who you are."
I love Ron and those blue collar comedians. : )
I've got a contractor coming this morning to close in the walls on my remodel. I needed to get an early start on moving some furniture and cleaning up the work area for them. I'll be glad to get this project done. The house is a wreck and we've got relatives coming to visit in a couple of weeks. Yesterday was a nightmare for me, so I didn't sleep all that well anyway.
Cool……………………….Surf's Up!
I don't like this though……………………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA&NR...
GOD BLESS YOU PPK Pixie!
LOVE your personal responsibility mantra.
My family will pray YOUR family does not get hit by Earl.
Stay Dry!
Remember kids, in case of a natural disaster, simply do nothing.
Just wait for the government to come to your rescue.
*Don't forget to complain and act ungrateful.
I have been watching Earl, it looks like the Georgia coast will be spared.
It is still not big enough.
Even a direct hit on DC would not wash away all the corruption there…
Dear God please spare innocent lives from the wrath of Earl.
It is amazing to see how far the new generation has sunk…….most don't even know what a hammer is used for.
I hope Earl blows by without hurting anyone. That said, life's a crap shot sometimes. We ought to be really thankful we can predict the trajectory of the hurricane as well as we can, it's really a blessing. As for the media hype, it's too much for me.
THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!!
Why does "W" keep making these storms? /sarcasm for the humor impaired left……Heh.
We survived the blowhards in Washington, we will survive Earl.
Earl is paled by the storm coming from Washington.
At least with hurricanes we know the projected path. Where as with Washington the storm hits before the warnings.
Maybe the writer should have a Hurricane party on the coast when we have a real Hurricane , like those that dont live on the coast this writer would change his tune pretty fast.
And the effects last longer.
………" I don't expect the government to come save my behind, not even from my own silliness. "
And that makes you a Racist Teabagging Homophobe !!!
Say 5 Hail Obama's and beg forgiveness
/Hahahaha
OBAMA: I don't care if it is a Category 2 that hits land, we'll call it a 5.
GIBBS: I got the MSM all lined up Mr. President, they will show footage of evey 5 we have recorded.
OBAMA: Do we have FEMA and everyone else ready for the big show.
GIBBS: We will have the ARMY, AIR FORCE, NAVY MARINES, FEMA and the entire FEd GOV. there,…..
The entire east coast population will be rich by the time we get done with all the handouts.
OBAMA: And my first news conference after the relief is in place will be where,..???
GIBBS: It will be in front of a New Jersey grammar school with all the school children singing the shit out of,…..
Barrack Husein Obama MMM,…MMM,……MMM
We'll make that fat ass governor stand behind you when you give your news conference.
OBAMA: and remember No questions.
This will certainly prove interesting.
Especially the Governments response, or lack thereof.
They shouldn't have had their special Katrina Anniversary.
From Katrina forward, everything Government does relating to disaster response will be measured against Katrina, and Bush, as the yardstick.
I always believed that it is good policy not to criticize ones predecessor. One day, you might have to measure up.
We already know how No Bama measures up……about knee high to a flea.
Huc,
I had the unpleasant fortune of being down there too. I remember that storm. You are absolutely right. I never saw so much water. Priceville got some press, but alot of those little burgs all through there never did. Some of thos places had no waterline. The water went over the ridgeline in of the roof. Those big hog farms got devestated.
People shouldn't fool with Mother Nature.
When the Hurricane Service says get a boat, you better start rowing.
That high… You hold him in higher accord than I.
I say "lower than whale sh!t" is about his ranking…
“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows”
~Bob Dylan
I'm originally from NE CT. Currently, (Thank God as I hate cold & snow) living in Southern Louisiana. I moved here for a job change on 8/29/2005 so I've pretty much seen it all when it comes to disasters and the idiocy of local politicians.
That being said, and given that this area is fairly prone to hurricanes, the level of hysteria that arises when there is even a breath of circulation somewhere near the gulf is astonishing. Tropical Depression 5 (or something about a month ago) caused a panic to the point that you couldn't get within 500 feet of a gas pump for two days and there was no bread, milk or water left anywhere.
Just silly.
Well I do cut him a little slack, it isn't his fault he was borne stupid.
Technology is the peyote of Americans.
Morning sis. So far, my area is only going to get a little bit of rain but we are still keeping alert. How is it looking for your area? All Earl has to do is move a little to the west and it will cover a whole lot more real estate.
Barry should rush to the coast, the “Outer Banks” specifically, spread his arms wide, looking towards the heavens, while reading from his fearless teleprompter, “away storm, away from my people,” in his best Charlton Hesston. Rahm, and Axelrod need to be close by with a film crew, knowing all his liberal minions would be on their prayer rugs facing their Barry, and would know for certain he is truly lord of the parasites, blessed be to our Barry, the pilferer of the state.
Or was it that REALLY great mooslem edukation…
Northeasters are really big thunderstorms, and IMO, the most damaging kind of coastal storm because of the flooding. Hurricanes are like medium speed F2 tornado's, except that they are 300 miles wide. Here in SE Virginia we get all three kinds of these storms. Last falls Nor'easter did more damage to my property than Isabel or Floyd.
I think a more apt analogy would be to say that tornadoes are like rifle shots, while hurricanes are more like shotguns. It's just part of living on the east coast.
This one looks to be a brush. Just another excuse for the "TV weather idiots" to go stand on the beach and tell people how dangerous it is to stand on the beach. Duh???
With a name like Earl, the left will say this hurricane is a southern red-neck beer drinking Nascar watcher clinging to God, guns and it's Bible. Hurricane Earl will be charged with a hate crime, put on the terrorist watch list and censored by Congress.
Hey Obama, go ahead and diss the Israeli Prime Minister today and God will guide Hurricane Earl right over the White House. /sarc
Good morning sis! The last report I heard was strong winds, so I don't expect our power to stay on.
I think P2O may have had to evacuate. According to the weather reports I'm getting. Unless he's riding the storm out. I hope all is well with him and his family.
Never underestimate what God can do. I still laugh at what God did this past winter in DC.
Hell froze over. LOL
Certainly, too low to kick, and way too nasty to step on……
What does THAT mean?
ROTFL! Good point! I had forgotten about that.
I heard that the Tropical Storm force winds would be as far inland as Colonial Williamsburg, but we never know. The Weather Channel said this morning that Earl had grown bigger last night to almost 500 miles wide. Our power goes out whenever the weather hiccups.
I hope and pray P2O and his fam are OK and that his home isn't damaged. These storms have been known to shift or change in strength in the last minute as you know.
I remember Agnes, too, although my family didn't experience any damage in Maryland. We saw more damage when we visited my grandparents in New York's Finger Lakes region. The Corning glass factory was flooded out, and a lot of people were devastated.
God is mighty……. I'll take the occasional Earthquake over those crazy hurricanes.
Agreed – nor'easters cause far more coastal erosion than hurricanes.
No evacs for us yet. I was out yesterday spending some quality time with my healthcare provider. I understand that people can say the darndest things under sedation. Apparently whatever I said sparked further conversation when I became lucid again. She is in total agreement for sure.
Ha ha ha ha. That sounds about right, Ralph.
There are outer bands just beginning to reach the N. Carolina barrier islands….."Hello, My name is Earl".
Isn't it time for the CBC to hold a retreat? I hear there are some nice places with rooms for a great price in the outer banks.
Whale crap in the San Marianas Trench–almost seven miles below sea level. Just sayin'.
Good Morning P2O, I'm glad you're ok.
"She is in total agreement for sure. "………hmmmm that can be a good thing or a bad thing. : )
I have several good friends who dot the East coast from SC to MA. I pray the worst that happens is that it rains on their Labor Day picnic. Lord keep them safe and send this thing packing out to sea.
You just made my morning.
Earl will be used to make people forget the lack of response to the oil fiasco
I'm gonna have to disagree with both of you and Publius. I was in Charleston for Hugo in '89 (Cat 4), Raleigh for Fran in '96 (it was a Cat 2 when it went by my house), Floyd, Isobel, Bob (went through that one in a frigate when it was a TS), through a Cat 1 in a sailboat (moored in same marina Hugo piled up 3 years later). It's not a shotgun, more like a machine gun! Hugo spawned 200-300 tornadoes in the three counties around Charleston in a 4-6 hour period. That was in addition to the 140mph wind that went on for a few hours (just for kicks, after the eye passed over, we got the wind blowing in the opposite direction for a while). Fran dumped a foot of rain in about 8 hours. The ground was so saturated that 60-mph winds were toppling 100+ year old oak trees. Normally you only worry about the pine trees snapping off and sticking in your house like toothpicks. Nor'easters cause a lot of erosion, but hurricanes have cut way more inlets in the Outer Banks than nor'easters. Hurricane Isabel created a 2000-foot-wide inlet at Hatteras. Hugo pushed a 20-foot wall of water (with waves on top) through McClellanville and over 12 feet of water through Charleston. I remember the boat that ended up in the middle of the Citadel's football field after the storm. Hugo didn't get downgraded to a TS until it was over Hickory NC (>250 miles from Charleston).
I was in Charleston for Hugo. Hugo spawned between 200-300 tornadoes as it came ashore. That was in addition to the 140mph sustained winds and the 12-foot wall of water in downtown Charleston. Publius needs to get around more.
KS,
In the "Challenger's Deep" section of the Marianas Trench, at 35,840 feet below sea level, that is just about right.
Depth Charge?
I just hope that if Earl must make landfall and destroy a city that it decides to take out Washington DC. I'd just as soon not wait until January for my new congress.
Nothing BLOWS as much as our dear leader………
I hope no one is hurt and zero dwellings destroyed. After saying that, I wouldn't mind if the electricity were knocked out in all government buildings in the D.C. area.
The agreement that healthcare under the new law will be a disaster. I have spoken to many providers and I have yet to find one that says it won't. So far 100% say it will be bad for everyone.
Check your email, I sent you pics of 8/28 and FC and L4S too if they see this.
I believe that a nice Earl-like swipe up the East Coast on October 2nd would be a good SIGN.
Jackass.
I still laugh that you believe in fairytales (e.g., "god").
Maj.Gen. Jerry Curry : Obama's Eligibility Issue Moving Toward Critical Mass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TmTqvIhLig
He did say that sea levels would begin to fall. That power would work wonders against a storm surge.
Yes, it is just a really big thunderstorm or series of thunderstorms. It does every thing that a supercell out here in the Midwest does except it does it for hours on end: torrential rain, insane winds, tornados. The storm surge is about the only unique thing and even that is a consequence of the prevailing winds in the larger storm spiral, so caused by the effect of massive thunderstorm winds for hours/days/etc. on end.
When watching some of our spring and summer storms roll through and bring down parts of trees or trees, I often remark, "just think, in a hurricane, this would last for hours at just this intensity. Think of the damage that would do."
And I would never take a hurricane lightly were I ever to move to the coast because of my lifetime of experience with midwestern supercells.
I hope your friends decide to come visit you or some of their inland relatives, and I hope they decided to do it when Earl was first announced. I don't relish the thought of being trapped in the massive evacuations a slight westward shift in the storm track would cause.
If I lived on the East Coast, I'd be spending an extended Labor Day vacation inland with relatives. It's not so much the hurricane itself that would have me worried; it would be my inability to get out of the way once government decides it's time to worry about Earl and orders large evacuations. If Earl tracks just slightly west, you're talking about upwards of 30 million people trying to get out of the way all at once. If you thought the evac lines from Rita looked nightmarish, I think this would dwarf them.
Unfortunately it is headed right toward MA and Cape Cod. I haven't heard from her and she isn't on facebook (which she always is) so hopefully she bugged out. Thanks for the well wishes.
ppk, Living on the Gulf Coast (Mississippi)…I have to say,
I agree with every word you posted!!…Keeping my fingers
crossed that Earl will take a jog and go out to sea too…..
Heh-heh. Good one…
You got some good sources there Ralphie!
Apparently owl got hold of a diseased mouse and is having delusions…
I laugh that you believe in man…
ok hippy.. go sleep on the dirt and eat bugs then
no that was global warmi… wait.. what?
i pray for you because you dont.. and have the audacity to call other people's faith a "fairytale"
you better get rid of that computer you're using right now to post things too.. because its evil technologyyyyyy ooo nooooo
You're right. I should just lay down and wait for jeebus to tell me what to do.
Too bad that prayer doesn't go anywhere.
I was going to suggest reason and logic, but hey -whatever floats your boat…
You do understand that there are people who would stand around waiting for the government to wipe their ass…………….if they thought for one second that someone will come and do it for them.
Sad and pitiful truth!
I really am a lady…….but STFU!!
I can really tell. The "ladyness" really just emanates out of the "STFU." I'm sure the kids are just as great as their shining example on display here.
http://wp.me/pPbDg-9x
Do you think Obama needs a GPS to get to the Oval Office every morning, too?
September 2, 1945
Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "These proceedings are over"
November 2, 2010
Pres. Barrack Obama: "Shit my administration is over"
Your prayers are very much appreciated- we don't live as close to the coast as we used to, but most of my immediate family still does…they should be arriving here to the Lunatic Lair (its what hubby and I refer to our home lol) in a few hours, so Ill be breathing a huge sigh of relief knowing where they are, and that they're safe (and eating me out of house and home)
But we've had to head for the hills when 'canes have pushed inland- and our "battle plans" are in place, just in case.
Better over prepared, than overwhelmed
ROFLOL…somebody has been watching a wee bit too much Gutfield
I always loved Ocean Springs, MS…and I was heartbroken when I saw the devastation after "Special K" churned through there. The 24/7 coverage of New Orleans, but hardly a peep about MS, AL…<sigh> And *they* were on the right side of the 'cane, which is where the most damage occurs.
And I thank you for the good thoughts. Nothing in my world is better than the fine people I get to know on this site here lately.
I have to admit I like that one… just cuz
and cuz my psych prof quoted "religion is the opiate…" the other night without saying WHO said it…
The winds get stronger near maryland/DC area due to all the hot air coming from those parts!
Thanks GF.
Hope all is good in Chi Town sir.
Be well.
Too Much Gutfield? No such thing ma'am!
"Better over prepared, than overwhelmed
"
Double AMEN sister!
And family is a blessing even when they are eating you out of house and home. the 'Cane is just as good an excuse as anything for a "get together" I'll bet.
I have a sign in my basement bar calling it the "looney bin" that was hand made in West Virginia…
Be well ma'am, and God Bless you and yours.
Isn't it amazing that states of emergency were already declared before Earl even got close to the East Coast? If that was our southern or western coastlines, I don't think that they would have been so quick to do that. I remember the climate change promoters saying that this was going to be a huge hurricane season, possibly one of the worst on record, with lots of major hurricanes. Looks like time is running out on their prediction again. That has to be a big blow to Al "hot to trot" Gore and the AGW collaborators.
I have been through a lot of hurricanes. Some pleasant beer parties, other long nightmares. I went thru Andrew. Lost my roof while I hid in the closet and prayed. Went to get ice and got lost trying to find landmarks to find my way home.
Went thru George. Lost another darn roof (different house). But knew to leave breadcrumbs to find my way home.
After major hurricanes the worst part is the trash, refuse (AKA the things that others loved and lost and now live in your yard) and abandoned dogs who get mightily unmannerly when hungry and scared. I saw pics of flooding in NC. They are in my prayers. Recovery… grieving over material and human loss… dealing with your insurance companies and scammers. Sigh
My parents went thru Donna in the 60's Lost their house – completely. Gone. But they lived thru the 13 foot surge and 130 mph winds by fleeing by boat (to the path the hurricane eventually took) and anchoring themselves into the mangroves in the everglades. They moved to CA.
My sister went through Hugo. She came back to her house and all that was left was the stilts it was on. On the other hand she had a baby nine months later. Not all bad comes from hurricanes.
The thing is – folks in NC just powered thru it. Just like in Miss. NOLA – meh… not so much. Why is that?
If you're gonna live in the Old Dominion, get the name right.
We're the "Commonwealth of Virginia."
You have a fine point there, good sir
And thank you for the good thoughts and prayers- can you believe the 'cane just did a "fly by"- so only the Outter Banks were affected. Heck, we didn't even get a drop of rain. As I said in another post- the power of prayer!!
"If you're gonna live in the Old Dominion, get the name right. "
Hi Peregry……excuse me….. I'm so sorry…..let's get technical. ; )
I noticed you were following me, and I saw your thread. There's many good people here. Quite a few from "'The Commonwealth Of Virginia"……such as Patriot2Opine, and For Constitution to name a few. Welcome…..and I look forward to your posts.
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