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Irene: 2.5 million people without power, new flood dangers, at least 44 deaths in 13 states

Re: Irene - Hurricane Warning for Grand Bahama and Abaco - Hurricane Watch for North Carolina... New Jersey to Massachusetts including New York City, Long Island Sound, Boston, Marthas Vineyard...

Re: Irene - Hurricane Warning for Grand Bahama and Abaco - Hurricane Watch for North Carolina... New Jersey to Massachusetts including New York City, Long Island Sound, Boston, Marthas Vineyard...

Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory

000
WTNT34 KNHC 261156
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 24A
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
800 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...IRENE TAKING AIM AT THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES...


SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...30.0N 77.3W
ABOUT 375 MI...600 KM SSW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...110 MPH...175 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...945 MB...27.91 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...

NONE

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE GRAND BAHAMA AND THE ABACO ISLANDS
* LITTLE RIVER INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SANDY HOOK NEW
JERSEY...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK
SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...AND CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF SMITH POINT.

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF SANDY HOOK NEW JERSEY TO THE MOUTH OF THE MERRIMACK RIVER
MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND
SOUND...BLOCK ISLAND...BOSTON...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF EDISTO BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA TO LITTLE RIVER INLET
* CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SMITH POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. A WARNING IS TYPICALLY ISSUED
36 HOURS BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF
TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE
PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE
AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE WATCH AREA. A WATCH IS TYPICALLY ISSUED 48 HOURS
BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE
WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR
DANGEROUS.

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN NEW ENGLAND SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 30.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE 77.3 WEST. IRENE IS MOVING
TOWARD THE NORTH NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS MOTION IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. A GRADUAL TURN
TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST SHOULD BEGIN THEREAFTER. ON THE
FORECAST TRACK...THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL PASS WELL OFF THE
COAST OF NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA TODAY...APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTH
CAROLINA TONIGHT...AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST
SATURDAY. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE
MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 110 MPH...175 KM/H...WITH
HIGHER GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. SOME RE-INTENSIFICATION IS
POSSIBLE TODAY...AND IRENE IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR THE THRESHOLD
BETWEEN CATEGORY TWO AND THREE AS IT REACHES THE NORTH CAROLINA
COAST.

IRENE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND
OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290 MILES...465 KM.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM HURRICANE HUNTER
AIRCRAFT DATA IS 945 MB...27.91 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...WINDS WILL SUBSIDE OVER THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS THIS
MORNING. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE
SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA ALONG THE UNITED STATES EAST
COAST BY LATE TODAY. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO FIRST
REACH THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA TONIGHT OR SATURDAY MORNING...AND
THEN SPREAD NORTHWARD IN THE WARNING AREA THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.

STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE
HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE
AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH
AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL OVER SOUTHERN POTIONS OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY...INCLUDING TRIBUTARIES...AND THE EASTERN SHORE OF
THE DELMARVA PENINSULA. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS
MUCH AS 3 TO 6 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE.
NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE...
DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA INTO SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINA...EASTERN
MARYLAND... DELAWARE...EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA...NEW JERSEY...
SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK...LONG ISLAND...WESTERN CONNECTICUT...AND
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THESE RAINS COULD
CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS.

SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS
OF THE COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL
CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 AM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER BROWN

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/261156.shtml
 
Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory

000
WTNT34 KNHC 261445
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 25
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...OUTER RAIN BANDS OF LARGE HURRICANE IRENE NEARING THE COAST OF
THE CAROLINAS....


SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...30.7N 77.3W
ABOUT 330 MI...530 KM SSW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...105 MPH...165 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...946 MB...27.93 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS DISCONTINUED ALL WARNINGS.

THE HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED NORTHWARD IN THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY TO DRUM POINT.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* LITTLE RIVER INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SANDY HOOK NEW
JERSEY...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK
SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...AND CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT.

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF SANDY HOOK TO THE MOUTH OF THE MERRIMACK RIVER
MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND
SOUND...BLOCK ISLAND...BOSTON...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF EDISTO BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA TO LITTLE RIVER INLET
* CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. A WARNING IS TYPICALLY ISSUED
36 HOURS BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF
TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE
PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE
AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE WATCH AREA. A WATCH IS TYPICALLY ISSUED 48 HOURS
BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED FIRST OCCURRENCE OF TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE
WINDS...CONDITIONS THAT MAKE OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR
DANGEROUS.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE EXTENDED NORTHWARD INTO NEW
ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON. INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN NORTHEASTERN UNITED
STATES AND SOUTHEASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY
YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 77.3 WEST. IRENE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS MOTION
IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE
NORTH-NORTHEAST SHOULD BEGIN BY SATURDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...
THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL PASS WELL OFF THE COAST OF GEORGIA
TODAY...APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT...AND PASS
NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST SATURDAY. THE HURRICANE
IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY
NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 105 MPH...165
KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS
FORECAST BEFORE IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.

IRENE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND
OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290 MILES...465 KM. NOAA
BUOY 41013 LOCATED ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SOUTHPORT
NORTH CAROLINA RECENTLY MEASURED A WIND GUST TO 47 MPH...76 KM/H.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT DATA IS 946 MB...27.93 INCHES.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO FIRST REACH THE
SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA THIS AFTERNOON. HURRICANE
FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO FIRST REACH THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA
TONIGHT OR SATURDAY MORNING...AND THEN SPREAD NORTHWARD IN THE
WARNING AREA THROUGH SUNDAY.

STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE
HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE
AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH
AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL OVER SOUTHERN POTIONS OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY...INCLUDING TRIBUTARIES...AND THE EASTERN SHORE OF
THE DELMARVA PENINSULA. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS
MUCH AS 3 TO 6 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE.
NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE...
DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES
INTO NEW ENGLAND THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THESE RAINS COULD
CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS.

SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE
COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...200 PM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...500 PM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER BROWN

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/261445.shtml

--------------------------------------------------------------
Hurricane IRENE Forecast Discussion


000
WTNT44 KNHC 261446
TCDAT4

HURRICANE IRENE DISCUSSION NUMBER 25
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

DATA FROM NOAA AND AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT
SUGGEST THE INTENSITY OF IRENE IS SLIGHTLY LOWER. ALTHOUGH PEAK
FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS AT 700 MB WERE 111 KT...SFMR AND DROPSONDE
OBSERVATIONS INDICATED THAT A HIGHER-THAN-TYPICAL REDUCTION OF THE
WIND FROM FLIGHT-LEVEL TO THE SURFACE APPLIES...AND THE INITIAL
INTENSITY IS REDUCED TO 90 KT. GIVEN THE CURRENT STORM STRUCTURE
AND PREDICTED ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS...LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS
EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. AFTER PASSING NORTH
CAROLINA...SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR IS FORECAST TO INCREASE AND SEA
SURFACE TEMPERATURES WILL BE GRADUALLY DECREASING. THIS SHOULD
RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAKENING OF THE CYCLONE AS IT MOVES NEAR THE
MID-ATLANTIC COAST. HOWEVER...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A LARGE
AND DANGEROUS TROPICAL CYCLONE AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE
DAMAGING WINDS...STORM SURGE FLOODING...AND EXTREMELY HEAVY RAINS
ALMOST ANYWHERE FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH NEW
ENGLAND.

IRENE IS MOVING NORTHWARD OR 360/12 KT. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE
TO THE FORECAST PHILOSOPHY. IRENE SHOULD MOVE NORTHWARD FOR ANOTHER
12 HOURS OR SO....FOLLOWED BY A GRADUAL TURN TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST
AS IT MOVES ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THE TRACK
GUIDANCE IS IN GOOD AGREEMENT ON THIS SCENARIO AND NO CHANGE WAS
REQUIRED FROM THE PREVIOUS NHC FORECAST THROUGH 72 HOURS.

ONLY A SMALL ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE TO THE HURRICANE WARNING ON THIS
ADVISORY. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE HURRICANE WARNING AND WATCH
AREAS WILL NEED TO BE EXTENDED NORTHWARD ALONG THE U.S. EAST COAST
THIS AFTERNOON.



FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 26/1500Z 30.7N 77.3W 90 KT 105 MPH
12H 27/0000Z 32.2N 77.1W 90 KT 105 MPH
24H 27/1200Z 34.4N 76.6W 90 KT 105 MPH
36H 28/0000Z 36.7N 75.6W 85 KT 100 MPH
48H 28/1200Z 39.5N 74.1W 75 KT 85 MPH
72H 29/1200Z 47.5N 68.8W 55 KT 65 MPH...INLAND
96H 30/1200Z 55.5N 57.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 31/1200Z 59.0N 38.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

$$
FORECASTER BROWN/BLAKE



http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/261446.shtml?
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 308-11
August 26, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE IRENE

Mayor Issues Mandatory Evacuation Order for All People in Zone A Coastal Areas and All Parts of the Rockaways in Queens; Discusses Safety Precautions All New Yorkers Should Take Before and During the Storm
Visit NYC.gov or Call 311 for Information about Evacuation Zones and Steps to Take to Prepare for the Hurricane
The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's remarks as delivered this afternoon at City Hall:​

"Well good afternoon. The sun is shining, but don't be misled. There is a very dangerous storm headed in our direction, and it could go slightly to the east or slightly to the west. It could speed up, it could close down, it could grow or diminish in intensity, but there is no question that we are going to get hit with some wind and high water that is very dangerous. And it's hard to believe when you look outside and see the sun, but it is in some sense the calm before the storm. And you only have to look at the weather maps to understand just how big this storm is, and how unique it is. And it's heading basically directly for us.

"We're here to bring you up to date on the City's ongoing preparations concerning Hurricane Irene, and let me start by saying we are opening, as of 4:00 PM today, 91 emergency facilities. They're a combination of evacuation centers and emergency shelters. They're being staffed by City employees, some on a volunteer basis.

"As you know, we think New Yorkers have the greatest workforce of any city in the nation, and I just wanted to start out by thanking them and their colleagues across the city for stepping up now and giving their time and effort to help New Yorkers who need shelter from the coming storm.
"The evacuation plan that we announced yesterday, I'm happy to say, is working smoothly. I'll discuss it in detail in a minute. And because Irene is now bearing down on us at a faster speed than it was yesterday, we are changing a few things. We are today issuing a mandatory - I repeat the word mandatory - evacuation order for all New Yorkers who live in the low-lying Zone A coastal areas in all five boroughs that are at greatest risk of damage relating to Irene, and we're adding to that the rest of the Rockaways, some of which are not Zone A, but are Zone B.

"Health Commissioner Tom Farley will be working with seniors homes and nursing homes and the two hospitals that are in the Zone B part of the Rockaways to try to find alternative sites for their residents. People who live in private homes, we want you to leave the Rockaways, and this is all due to the exposure to the ocean of the Rockaways, and the potential that emergency services may not be provided due to the closing of bridges.

"Bridges aren't going to fall down, but there is a point when the winds get so strong that they close because cars and trucks could be blown off them. What we're concerned about in the Rockaways, unlike other parts of the city that may be in low-lying areas, or even slightly higher, if something were to happen and you needed emergency services in the Rockaways, we're not sure that in the worst case we'd be able to get those services to you. So that is something that is different than yesterday.

"We're also moving up the time that we want everybody out, and that is by 5:00 PM tomorrow, Saturday. In a storm with wind and very high tides, there are risks that endanger public safety. I can't stress it enough. Please, nature is a force more powerful than any of us, and it really is better to be safe than sorry.

"The low-lying coastal areas that will be endangered most by storm surge include Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway and Broad Channel in Queens, South Beach, Midland Beach, and other low-lying areas on Staten Island, Battery Park City in Manhattan, and some small sections of the Bronx. As I said before, we are also adding a full evacuation of all people living in private homes are apartments in the Rockaways.

"In addition, you should know that MTA service, including subways, buses and railroads, will begin to shut down tomorrow at noon, and Jay Walder will describe that and other measures in a moment. Depending on the effect of the storm, let me just caution you also in regards to the MTA that service may or may not be restored in time for rush hour Monday morning, so I would urge employees to check with their employers regarding business openings on Monday.

"Now, we have never done a mandatory evacuation before - and we wouldn't be doing this now if we didn't think the storm had the potential to be very serious. The best outcome would be if the storm veers off to the east and doesn't hit us, or doesn't hit us hard, but we can't depend on mother nature being so kind. We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And just because this is the first time we've had a mandatory evacuation of any part of the city, I just once again want to repeat this is very serious. Do not be fooled by the sun outside. That is the calm before the storm. And you can't wait until there are gale force winds and driving rains arrive, it will be too late then. You have to start your preparations to leave right now.

"Keep in mind, afternoon tomorrow you're not going to have the advantage of mass transit to help you do that. So if you were to leave today, that would be very helpful. And tomorrow, if you call Access-a-Ride, Jay Walder will talk about it, but they just don't have the capacity to take large numbers of people in any one day in a short span of time. So in spite of the good weather, if you want to be safe, now's the time to start moving.

"We expect that most New Yorkers affected by this evacuation order will find places to stay with relatives or friends who live in safer areas. However, as I said at the beginning of this, evacuation centers and shelters for those who need it will be open by 4:00 PM this afternoon, and they are staffed and equipped to accommodate the people we expect. But if the capacity were to be much greater than we have planned for, we certainly have the capacity to expand very quickly.

"We'll say more in a few minutes about how this system will work - a system that we put a lot of thought and effort into developing in order to avoid the kinds of problems that occurred during Hurricane Katrina. But let me first try to bring you up to date about the information about the strength and the path, and where this hurricane is likely to arrive in our area.

"The National Weather Service at the moment, and I keep reminding you this could change anytime, the National Service has put the entire New York metropolitan area under a hurricane watch, which means that sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or more are forecast - for Saturday evening through Sunday. At the moment, the strongest winds are expected to arrive early evening tomorrow, and to continue into late afternoon on Sunday.

"The current forecast is that Irene will reach the New York metropolitan area as a Category 1 storm. The ground speed of the storm has accelerated; gale forces winds of 40 miles an hour are the beginning of the storm, and they will grow significantly. We don't what they will grow to, but the full brunt of the storm if you're in its way, it's a lot more powerful than any of us. Certainly the best case scenario is very high winds and a lot of rain, and very, very high tides. Those are the things you're going to see, and we want to give you some ideas as to how to stay safe.

"As I stressed yesterday, our first obligation is to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers in Zone A's low lying coastal areas. And I just wanted to bring you up to date on what we did yesterday. Hospital patients, those in nursing homes, homes for the aged and other New Yorkers who are in these homes yesterday were directed to leave by eight o'clock last night- or eight o'clock today. That has been done, everybody has been moved, there were no exceptions made by Tom Farley - and in all fairness, nobody even asked for exceptions.

"In the rest of the area, Coney Island Hospital, both campuses of Staten Island University Hospital, the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Manhattan, and NYU Medical Center on Manhattan's Upper East Side are evacuating their patients to other hospitals.

"Yesterday's Executive Order also covered eight nursing homes, one psychiatric facility, and eight adult care centers. All of those, as I said, have been or are in the process of evacuating. Most facilities are completing this process themselves. A lot of these facilities have contracted with people to help them, but in some cases City ambulance crews have been called in to help, and we're glad to provide that service.

"Another vulnerable population we are concentrating on is the homeless. We have four homeless shelters for families and four shelters for single adults in Zone A. The clients of these shelters will be relocated to our Bedford Atlantic shelter in Brooklyn and the El Camino shelter in Jamaica, Queens. We are also moving clients out of our intake center at 30th Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. At the same time, outreach teams are stepping up their activity to bring homeless clients who are living on the streets indoors.

"We are also taking steps to help those who, because of age, illness, or disability, are homebound. Home care providers are activating their emergency plans. On a case-by-case basis, we will authorize 'sleep-in services' to help clients that have complex needs and no other supports in the community. There are also 15 foster care residential shelters, you should know, in Zone A. Our Administration for Children's Services is working closely with the agencies operating those programs to ensure that each facility has a safety plan in place for all children at those facilities.

"Our other organizations are taking steps to keep their communities safe. For instance, many of the city's universities - including Fordham, NYU, St. John's and Columbia - are postponing the move-in date for incoming freshman from Sunday to Monday. So it's fun to move into college, it's an exciting time, but doing it in the middle of a hurricane probably would not be the best experience and way to start your college education. So I'm glad that they've seemed to move that.

"For some people, their port in the storm will be an emergency City shelter. We, as I said before, developed our Coast Storm Plan back in 2006 to prevent the kinds of problems we saw during Katrina when some centers and shelters were overloaded while others were strikingly empty. We put a lot of effort into designing a more efficient system so that when we need it - such as now - all we have to do is implement a plan, not develop it from scratch. That's why we work so hard when the weather is good to make sure that when something goes wrong we're ready.

"The centers and shelters are organized on what we call a solar system model. Five to 10 shelters are organized around each evacuation center, where the initial intake process would take place. The system is designed for efficiency in supplying and supporting the shelters, and to eliminate any bottlenecks that may develop, and to ensure that each location has sufficient quantities of food, water, blankets and other essential supplies. The shelters and centers will be staffed by City employees from non-first responder agencies. The first responders have plenty of other things to do.

"Employees who have been designated by their agencies to staff emergency shelters should be reporting to the assignment locations today. These sites will also be staffed by school safety agents and supplied with food from the Department of Education's Office of School Foods, and security will, of course, be provided by the NYPD.

"NYC.gov, as you know, just got so overloaded that unfortunately the system crashed a few times. It is currently experiencing three times its average volume of traffic, which has made access to the site problematic for some. Yesterday, NYC.gov had 4.3 million hits - shattering the previous high of 2.2 million on January 26th. To alleviate this pressure, we began adding additional servers yesterday and are also off-loading some traffic to external commercial servers.

"NYC.gov is back up and running, but if you are unable to access the site at any time over the weekend, you can receive updates via Twitter from @nycmayorsoffice and @notifynyc. But even if that doesn't work, you certainly can call 311, and it may take a few minutes, but we have additional staff in the offices keeping up pretty much with the demand.

"As Irene arrives, safety is going to become increasingly important, and we want all New Yorkers to keep a few things in mind. From 9:00 PM tomorrow evening until 9:00 PM Sunday, for those 24 hours, New Yorkers really should take the following precautions. First, stay indoors. It's fun being out, but this is dangerous. There is flying glass, there's tree limbs, there's who knows what - a basket, a piece of patio furniture that was left out unprotected. It's just very dangerous when the winds get this high and when the rains are so heavy that you can't see where you're going.

"Second, avoid being near glass windows. There's always a risk of flying debris shattering windows, and that risk increases if you're in a high-rise, on the 10th floor or higher. For your own safety, stay in rooms with no or few windows, and close the doors to rooms where there are more windows. Don't stand or congregate in a glassed in lobby or atrium, it's exactly the same problem.

"Third, many apartment buildings also have basement or rooftop mechanical equipment, such as water towers, pumps, water heaters, and the mechanics for elevators. They may be damaged by flooding, so a good precaution is to fill a bathtub or sink with potable water. High-rise residents should also be aware that flooding or wind damage may cause power outages that will prevent elevators from operating. If you can, take the stairs, particularly if it's only a few stories. It just reduces the number of people that may get trapped. Keep in mind, one of the things we're worried about is the safety of the public, but also the safety of our first responders who put their lives in danger to protect the public and to save the public. If the public took care at the beginning to not run some risks, it would be better for them and it would also be better for our first responders, and let our first responders focus on those who got themselves into trouble.

"The Buildings Department, you should know, did issue a stop work order that will suspend all construction in the five boroughs from 2:00 PM. tomorrow until 7:00 AM on Monday. That includes renovations at City Hall, and also extends to the operation of tower cranes at the World Trade Center Site.

"Currently, 13 of the 24 tower cranes active in are city are located at the World Trade Center site. For those that want to know, this work stoppage will not have any effect on the scheduled opening of the 9/11 Memorial in time for the 10th anniversary of that tragic day. Since Wednesday, inspectors have been inspecting construction sites across the city to ensure equipment is properly secured. Working with other City agencies, they will continue conducting inspections over the weekend to make sure the stop-work order is being followed.

"The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation are inspecting dozens of flood-prone locations to do everything they can to keep catch basins clear and able to handle the extra rain water. Having said that, the forecast for eight to 12 inches of rain is something that the system just is not going to be able to handle in every single case. So you know, when you go under a bridge and it's a catchment area, be very careful. Even if the grates were cleaned today, leaves and other stuff get washed in and then all of a sudden you have a flood where you didn't have one a few minutes earlier.

"As Irene approaches, keeping City streets free for buses and emergency vehicles - that is crucial. And for that reason, we're suspending alternate side parking and meter rules on Sunday and Monday. And as I said yesterday, if you live in a Zone A, don't park your car outside the door in a low lying area. Drive it to some place that's higher, even if it takes a little while to walk there and pick it up on Monday. You'll save your car.
To ease travel around the City, starting at 9 pm Saturday we will implement a 'zone-fare' plan that will make most rides less expensive in taxies and will encourage group rides and permit livery drivers to make street pick-ups.

"It's the same plan we used during the transit strike of 2005. And every little bit helps. And when and if driving conditions become too hazardous, the Taxi & Limousine Commission does have the ability to send text messages to all drivers advising them of that.

"If sustained wind speeds reach 46 miles an hour and navigation becomes difficult, the Staten Island Ferry service may be suspended. Safety is the most important thing. I know it's inconvenient, but these boats are big, and it's very difficult to land them at the dock when the winds are blowing anything at that speed or higher. Commuter ferry services operated by the Economic Development Corporation will stop after this evening's rush hour. Once wind speeds reach 50 miles per hour, we'll take a hard look at closing the City bridges. Now keep in mind, some bridges are City bridges, some a TBTA bridges which Jay can talk about, some are Port Authority Bridges - so there's three different agencies involved, and the City bridges tend to be smaller and closer to the ground than something like the Verrazano, which is a TBTA bridge, or the George Washington, which is a Port Authority bridge. Each agency will look at each of their own bridges and make their own decisions.

"To clear City streets, we're also right now revoking City permits for street fairs, block parties, and similar events on Sunday, and in Zone A - low-lying areas - on Saturday as well. The rain forecast for tomorrow is such that I don't think very many people would go to these events anyway, but we just don't need any more traffic on the streets or things blowing around than is absolutely necessary. As to any such activities in other parts of the city scheduled for Saturday, we've amended their permits to require that they stop serving the public by 2:00 PM tomorrow.

"City beaches will be closed Saturday and Sunday and remain closed until they can be operated safely. Please, please, please, don't go in the water. The tides will be much stronger than people can cope with, and it's just a tragedy waiting to happen.

"We've placed similar restrictions on outdoor TV and film permits. Marinas run by the Parks Department will be closed starting 6:00 PM Saturday, and all customers will be required to leave. The Dave Matthews concert on Governors Island that was scheduled for tonight will go ahead, but the concert scheduled for Saturday and Sunday nights are cancelled.

"The Mets games for Saturday and Sunday have been cancelled. I talked to the Wilpons today pointing out that there would not be any mass transit to get people to and from Citi Field, and since over a third of their customers come via mass transit it obviously would be very difficult to get them there. Also, the forecast is, in any case, for rains that would prevent baseball from being played.

"Fans going to the Jets-Giants game Saturday over in New Jersey should know that MTA service will likely not be available to them, so after the game they can get back if the can to New York City, but they won't be able to get around - the buses and subways will not be running.

"And let me repeat one more time before I turn things over to Speaker Quinn, because of the danger of falling limbs or trees and blowing glass and furniture and who knows what, please stay out of the parks on Sunday. And if you can possibly do it, stay inside on Sunday. It's a good time to catch up or sleep late or anything, but it would be great if we could wake up Monday morning and say that there were no tragedies.
Unfortunately with a storm this size, the likelihood, the dangers, is great, and the likelihood of tragedies exists. And we do everything we can to keep that from happening."

http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011b/pr308-11_alt.html
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory

000
WTNT34 KNHC 270257
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 27
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...IRENE MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD TOWARD SOUTHEASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS LASHING THE CAROLINA COAST...


SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...32.6N 76.9W
ABOUT 140 MI...225 KM S OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 195 MI...315 KM SSW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...160 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...951 MB...28.08 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...

NONE.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* LITTLE RIVER INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SAGAMORE BEACH
MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK
SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT...NEW
YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT
AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF EDISTO BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA TO LITTLE RIVER INLET
* CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC
* NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO MERRIMACK RIVER

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* MERRIMACK RIVER TO EASTPORT MAINE

INTERESTS IN SOUTHEASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.9 WEST. IRENE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 13 MPH...20 KM/H...AND THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.
ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL APPROACH THE
COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH
CAROLINA COAST SATURDAY MORNING. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE
NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY NIGHT AND MOVE OVER
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE WIND SCALE. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS
FORECAST BEFORE IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA. SOME
WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AFTER THAT...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN
A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST ON SUNDAY.

HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290
MILES...465 KM. DURING THE PAST HOUR...A WEATHERFLOW AUTOMATED
STATION REPORTED A SUSTAINED WIND OF 48 MPH...78 KM/H...AND A GUST
TO 64 MPH...104 KM/H AT THE FORT MACON STATE PARK NEAR ATLANTIC
BEACH NORTH CAROLINA.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY AIR FORCE RESERVE
AND NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 951 MB...28.08 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD INLAND
OVER THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE WARNING AREA TONIGHT.
HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO FIRST REACH THE HURRICANE
WARNING AREA BY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS
ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY MORNING
WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. TROPICAL
STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
SATURDAY NIGHT WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY.

STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE
HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE
AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH
AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA
FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO CAPE COD
INCLUDING SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY
LARGE...DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES. STORM SURGE
VALUES ARE VERY LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES...
NEW YORK...AND NEW ENGLAND THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THESE RAINS
COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS.

SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE
COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.

TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER EXTREME EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORIES...100 AM EDT AND 300 AM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...500 AM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER STEWART

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/270257.shtml

-----------------------------------------------------------

Hurricane IRENE Forecast Discussion

000
WTNT44 KNHC 270258
TCDAT4

HURRICANE IRENE DISCUSSION NUMBER 27
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

AIR FORCE AND NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY EVENING HAVE FOUND SURFACE PRESSURES OF 950-951 MB AND
FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS RANGING FROM 99 KT TO 108 KT IN THE SOUTHEAST
QUADRANT OF IRENE. HOWEVER...SFMR SURFACE WINDS HAVE BEEN MUCH
LOWER THAN THE STANDARD 90 PERCENT REDUCTION FACTOR TYPICALLY
YIELDS. THIS DISPARITY IS LIKELY DUE TO THE LACK OF SIGNIFICANT
CONVECTION OVER THE SOUTHERN SEMICIRCLE. NOAA DOPPLER RADAR DATA
FROM WILMINGTON AND MOREHEAD CITY HAVE BEEN INDICATING VIGOROUS
CONVECTION REDEVELOPING NORTH AND EAST OF THE RAGGED EYE...WITH
DOPPLER VELOCITIES OF 90 KT OR GREATER AT ALTITUDE ABOVE 15000
FEET. BASED ON THE RADAR DATA AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE STRONGER
FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS COULD EVENTUALLY WORK INTO NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF
IRENE...THE INITIAL INTENSITY IS BEING HELD AT 85 KT.

RADAR AND RECON FIXES INDICATE IRENE HAS MADE THE LONG-FORECAST TURN
TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NOW AND IS MOVING AT 020/12 KT. IRENE IS
CAUGHT BETWEEN A BROAD SUBTROPICAL RIDGE TO THE EAST AND AN
APPROACHING SHORTWAVE TROUGH CURRENTLY MOVING EASTWARD OVER THE
GREAT LAKES AND OHIO VALLEY. THE HURRICANE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS OR SO AS THE RIDGE
TO THE EAST AMPLIFIES NORTHWARD. THEREAFTER...THE CYCLONE SHOULD
ACCELERATE TO THE NORTHEAST AS IT GETS CAUGHT UP IN DEEP-LAYER
SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW AHEAD OF THE SHORTWAVE TROUGH. THE FORECAST
TRACK HAS ONLY BEEN NUDGED SLIGHTLY EASTWARD OF THE PREVIOUS TRACK
THROUGH 36 HOURS DUE TO THE MORE EASTWARD INITIAL POSITION.
HOWEVER...ALL OF THE MODELS SUGGEST THAT SOME SLIGHT MID-LEVEL
RIDGING WILL OCCUR ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND THE MID-ATLANTIC
STATES DURING THE NEXT 12-24 HOURS...WHICH SHOULD ACT TO KEEP IRENE
CLOSE TO THE COASTS OF NEW JERSEY AND THE DELMARVA PENINSULA. THE
TRACK FORECAST LIES DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE NHC GUIDANCE ENVELOPE
AND IS A BLEND OF THE GFS AND ECMWF MODEL TRACKS.

IRENE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN OVER SSTS GREATER THAN 28C UNTIL
LANDFALL ALONG THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS IN 12-18 HOURS. THIS
SHOULD ALLOW THE CYCLONE TO MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT INTENSITY OR ONLY
WEAKEN SLIGHTLY. AFTER LANDFALL...HOWEVER...LAND INTERACTION...
COOLER WATER...AND GRADUALLY INCREASING SOUTHWESTERLY VERTICAL WIND
SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO INDUCE STEADY WEAKENING. ALTHOUGH A STATIONARY
FRONT CURRENTLY LIES ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...THIS FEATURE IS
EXPECTED TO LIFT NORTHWARD DUE TO THE VERY LARGE CIRCULATION OF
IRENE. THIS SHOULD DELAY EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION UNTIL IRENE IS
OVER MAINE OR SOUTHEASTERN CANADA.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 27/0300Z 32.6N 76.9W 85 KT 100 MPH
12H 27/1200Z 34.2N 76.4W 80 KT 90 MPH
24H 28/0000Z 36.7N 75.5W 75 KT 85 MPH
36H 28/1200Z 39.8N 74.0W 70 KT 80 MPH
48H 29/0000Z 43.8N 71.3W 60 KT 70 MPH...INLAND
72H 30/0000Z 52.0N 62.0W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
96H 31/0000Z 56.5N 46.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 01/0000Z 57.5N 26.0W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

$$
FORECASTER STEWART

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/270258.shtml?
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 309-11
August 27, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON CITY PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE IRENE

Urges New Yorkers in Mandatory Evacuation Zone to Leave Now

The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's remarks as delivered this morning outside of the 60th Police Precinct located in Coney Island:

<!-- Paragraphs -->
"You can listen to the noise of the elevated train. That's not going to be here this afternoon, and I think that's the message that people have to start understanding, that starting at noon today - which is in only two and a half hours - mass transit is not going to be available if you have to leave. You have to start right now.

"Now, we've heard that lots of people are leaving, and that's great, and we're joined here by some people who can help us get the message out. We have Council Member Domenic Recchia, Council Member Mike Nelson, State Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny, Congressman Jerry Nadler, and Borough President Marty Markowitz of course is here. We can't come to Coney Island without Marty being here. And I did want to thank Inspector Peter DeBlasio, the commanding officer of the 60th Precinct for hosting us today.

"The hurricane has hit ground in North Carolina. New York City is under hurricane warning. We expect a strong Category 1 storm to hit us tonight with winds between 55 and 75 miles an hour. Now people get confused and say, 'Oh, that's down from 115.' The great danger to us here is from the storm surge, and there's no evidence that the forecast for that is changing. It is going to be a very serious thing as far as we can tell now.

"If the storm were to head directly east and get away from us, nothing could make us happier. But you can't prepare for the best case, you have to prepare for the worst case. And that's why yesterday we issued a mandatory evacuation order for the more than 370,000 New Yorkers residing in the low-lying areas called Zone A areas, and in the rest of the Rockaways, which is classified as Zone B. The difference with Zone B and Zone A, Zone B is higher, but the Rockaways are a special case because if the bridges get closed, there's no way off the island, and it would be very difficult for us to provide emergency services.

"The steady stream of New Yorkers leaving these areas have been coming in to some of the 91 evacuation and emergency shelter facilities we've set up throughout the city. We have a capacity for something like 70,000 people. Having said that, capacity is a little bit misleading. We do not have beds for 70,000 people, but we'll make do with whatever we can.

"To ensure security and safety, we've increased the police protection throughout the evacuation zone. We also have ten teams of firefighters - two in each borough - using school buses to help evacuate homebound elderly and nursing home patients. And we still have a few hospitals and nursing homes and adult care facilities in Zone A in the Rockaways to go. But some 7,000 patients and residents have already been evacuated. And I just wanted to point out, the management of those facilities - the senior homes, the nursing homes and the hospitals - have been phenomenally cooperative. It has gone so smoothly, they all deserve a lot of credit. Hopefully this will have been for not, but we cannot take risks, and particularly with the most vulnerable we wanted to do those first, and that's basically been accomplished.

"We do not, incidentally, recommend that anyone waits for a bus to evacuate. The best thing to do is to use your own or public transportation to get yourself to a shelter, and that means you've got to do that right now. Two and a half hours left for mass transit. City employees, if you volunteered to help serve in the shelters today, we need you to report to your sites now. It is going to be very difficult to get to or from these sites, and when people show up, you really are going to make a difference. So those of you City employees who volunteered, thank you so much for doing so, but we just do need you to start making that trip. Bring some stuff with you if you have to stay for a while, but you really are going to make a difference for those in this city who aren't as fortunate as the rest of us.

"The NYPD is also sending vehicles with sound equipment throughout the area to broadcast the message that this is a dangerous hurricane that is approaching and residents must evacuate to safety. They will be doing that all afternoon into the evening, but keep in mind, if you want to evacuate later on, you're going to be on your own. You'll have to walk, or you're going to have to find some way to use a car or a taxi.

"For those residents of the Rockaways and the low-lying areas of Zone A who have not yet left, I want you to take a look at the pictures which the press just took of these small boats. You've probably seen boats like this before. There's lots of news footage after Hurricane Katrina that was certainly full of images of these boats, and the emergency responders that rowed through the flooded streets, rescuing stranded residents.

"We hope we won't have to need these boats here, but let me point out it's not the same as Katrina where you had a lot of water that stayed around for a long time. Here, what we're expecting is a tidal surge that comes in with a storm surge on top of it. It would flood an awful lot, it would do a lot of damage to mechanical equipment, and to protect us an awful lot of buildings - include of all of NYCHA facilities - are turning off their elevators because they don't want people stuck in them if later with the water or the wind. Also it's possible also that Con Ed has to turn off some of its power in Lower Manhattan, because if salt water gets on these cables when they are being used, the damage is substantial.

There's a lot less damage to cables if salt water gets on them when they don't carry any current. Con Ed will make that call later on, but it's conceivable that in downtown Manhattan, for example, there will be no electricity, as well as a lot of water in the streets.

"Let's stop thinking this is something that we can play with. Staying behind is dangerous, staying behind is foolish, and it's against the law. And we urge everybody in the evacuation zone not to wait until there are gale force winds and driving rain to leave, not to wait until the public transportation starts slowing down today. It's going to be too late. The time to leave is right now.

"We just won't have the resources to get everyone in the evacuation zones out after the storm hits when we'll need our first responders to respond to life threatening emergencies, so those who need to evacuate should do it now. This, incidentally, means now to business owners as well. If you have a business in the evacuation zone, you should close up shop and evacuate along with everyone else. Please take necessary precautions, including turning off propane tanks, gas, and electrical utilities at the main switches.

"New York City doesn't have a lot of real-life experience with hurricanes.
We've watched then from afar as they've ravaged other parts of the nation, and thank God we've never really experienced that kind of destruction here. But that does not mean that it can't happen. It can, and we must be prepared. And that's exactly why we developed our Coastal Storm Plan back in 2006 to prevent the kind of problems that we saw during Katrina. So please heed these warnings and get yourself to safety before the bad weather hits. As I mentioned earlier, the MTA will be shutting down the public transit system at noon. What that means is the last train leaves the station, but you can't count on being on the last train. It may be overloaded, or maybe it's already past you. You should assume after noon that there is no mass transit.

"Staten Island Ferry service will be suspended as of 10:00 PM tonight or earlier if the winds come earlier. City bridges may close if high winds make driving across them dangerous. And the TBTA and Port Authority bridges, which tend to be the bigger, higher bridges, may close even earlier.

"The beaches are closed for the weekend, as will all cultural institutions. And once the storm hits, it is just not safe to be in the parks either. The risk of falling tree limbs is serious, and people can get killed there. And for the surfers, we all know that it's a lot of fun to catch a big wave - this storm is dangerous and we just don't have the resources. We don't want to put our first responders' lives in jeopardy to try to save you.

"During the storm, please stay off streets and sidewalks to prevent injury, and stay away from the windows if you live on the tenth floor of a high rise or above that. The risk of window damage is greater, so it'd be smart to stay away from the windows or go to a lower floor.

"If the low-lying areas of our city begin to flood, I mentioned the Con Ed may have to shut down their power lines. NYCHA buildings will be shutting down their elevators, as will other buildings. And if you're using generated power, please do not have a generator inside your house or your apartment. Carbon monoxide fumes kill.

"In terms of our city buildings: All construction has been stopped. Our inspectors are working to make sure that construction sites are locked down.

"Homeowners and residents: If you haven't done so already, please bring outdoor furniture inside - plywood, trashcans, any loose items that can blow around.

"So in conclusion: If you live in a low-lying Zone A areas or in the Rockaways, you have to leave, and you should start right now. Do not delay. Do not wait for the weather to be bad. It's starting to rain here in Coney Island right now. This is just the beginning. You say it's a few drops - this is going to be a very serious storm. No matter what the track is, no matter how much it weakens, this is a life threatening storm to people here."

http://prtl-drprd-web.nyc.gov/porta...11b/pr309-11.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory

000
WTNT34 KNHC 272055
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 30
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
500 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011

...IRENE ABOUT TO RE-EMERGE OVER THE ATLANTIC WATERS...


SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...36.2N 76.0W
ABOUT 50 MI...80 KM SSE OF NORFOLK VIRGINIA
ABOUT 340 MI...545 KM SSW OF NEW YORK CITY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 15 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...950 MB...28.05 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED SOUTH OF CAPE FEAR NORTH
CAROLINA.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* CAPE FEAR NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SAGAMORE BEACH
MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK
SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT...NEW
YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT
AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC
* NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO EASTPORT MAINE
* UNITED STATES/CANADA BORDER NORTHEASTWARD TO FORT LAWRENCE
INCLUDING GRAND MANAN
* SOUTH COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM FORT LAWRENCE TO PORTERS LAKE

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN EASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 36.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.0 WEST. IRENE IS MOVING
TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 13 MPH...20 KM/H...AND THIS MOTION
ACCOMPANIED BY A FASTER FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT
DAY OR SO. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MOVE
NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT...AND MOVE OVER
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY. IRENE IS FORECAST TO MOVE INTO
EASTERN CANADA SUNDAY NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80 MPH...130 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES NEAR OR
OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST AND APPROACHES NEW ENGLAND. THE
HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO WEAKEN AFTER LANDFALL AND BECOME A
POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE SUNDAY NIGHT OR EARLY MONDAY.

IRENE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND
OUTWARD UP TO 85 MILES...140 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND
TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290 MILES...465 KM.
A NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE OBSERVING SITE AT OREGON INLET NORTH
CAROLINA RECENTLY REPORTED A SUSTAINED WIND OF 59 MPH...WITH A
GUST TO 81 MPH. A SUSTAINED WIND OF 58 MPH WITH A GUST TO 74 MPH
WAS RECENTLY MEASURED AT MANTEO NORTH CAROLINA.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE
HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 950 MB...28.05 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS WILL SPREAD NORTHWARD ALONG THE
MID-ATLANTIC COAST THIS EVENING WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED
TONIGHT. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHERN
NEW ENGLAND LATE THIS EVENING WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY
SUNDAY MORNING. WINDS AFFECTING THE UPPER FLOORS OF HIGH-RISE
BUILDINGS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER THAN THOSE NEAR
GROUND-LEVEL.

STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 5 TO 9 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE
HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE
AND PAMLICO SOUNDS. STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH
AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA
FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO CAPE COD
INCLUDING SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY
LARGE...DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES. HIGHER THAN
NORMAL ASTRONOMICAL TIDES ARE OCCURRING THIS WEEKEND. COASTAL AND
RIVER FLOODING WILL BE HIGHEST IN AREAS WHERE THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS
AROUND THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE. STORM TIDE AND SURGE VALUES ARE VERY
LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
6 TO 12 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES...FROM
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES
INTO EASTERN NEW YORK AND INTERIOR NEW ENGLAND. THESE RAINS...
COMBINED WITH HEAVY RAINS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS...COULD CAUSE
WIDESPREAD FLOODING...LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS...AND
SIGNIFICANT UPROOTING OF TREES DUE TO RAIN-SOFTENED GROUNDS.

SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING MUCH OF THE
EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.

TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST OF
MARYLAND...DELAWARE...AND NEW JERSEY THROUGH TONIGHT.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORIES...700 PM EDT AND 900 PM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 PM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER BROWN

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/272055.shtml

-----------------------------------------------------------
Hurricane IRENE Forecast Discussion

000
WTNT44 KNHC 272057
TCDAT4

HURRICANE IRENE DISCUSSION NUMBER 30
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
500 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011

THE CENTER OF IRENE HAS BEEN MOVING ACROSS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
THIS AFTERNOON...AND THE RADAR PRESENTATION OF THE INNER CORE
ACTUALLY IMPROVED FOR A FEW HOURS. SINCE THAT TIME...THE RAGGED
EYE HAS FILLED IN BUT THE CENTER REMAINS WELL DEFINED ON
RADAR...WHICH WARRANTS A RETURN TO TWO-HOURLY INTERMEDIATE
ADVISORIES. AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT
REPORTED PEAK FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS OF 85-90 KT TO THE EAST OF THE
CENTER DURING THE PAST FEW HOURS...AND A VERY RECENT CENTER DROP
MEASURED A MINIMUM PRESSURE OF 950 MB. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY
RECENT SFMR DATA...BUT BASED ON THE EARLIER SHARP DISCREPANCY
BETWEEN THE FLIGHT-LEVEL AND SURFACE WINDS...THE INITIAL INTENSITY
IS REDUCED TO 70 KT. A SLOW WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AS IRENE MOVES
ALONG THE COAST OF THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES DUE TO LAND
INTERACTION...COLDER WATERS...DRY AIR ENTRAINMENT...AND INCREASING
SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR. BECAUSE THE LARGE WIND FIELD WILL TAKE TIME
TO SPIN DOWN...HOWEVER...IRENE IS STILL EXPECTED TO REACH THE NEW
YORK AREA AT OR NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH.

MORE SO THAN WITH MOST STORMS...THE WINDS WITH IRENE INCREASE
SHARPLY WITH HEIGHT ABOVE THE SURFACE. AS IRENE MOVES THROUGH
AREAS WITH HIGH-RISE STRUCTURES...THESE STRUCTURES WILL EXPERIENCE
WINDS SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER THAN INDICATED BY THE ADVISORY
INTENSITY. WINDS AT THE 30-STORY LEVEL WILL LIKELY BE 20 PERCENT
HIGHER THAN AT THE SURFACE...AND WINDS 80-100 STORIES UP COULD BE
ABOUT 30 PERCENT HIGHER THAN AT THE SURFACE.

THE CENTER CONTINUED NORTHWARD FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE
RELEASE OF THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY BUT HAS RESUMED A NORTHEASTWARD
MOTION OF ABOUT 015/11. IRENE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTH-
NORTHEASTWARD ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT AND OVER NEW
ENGLAND ON SUNDAY. AFTER THE CYCLONE BECOMES EXTRATROPICAL IN 36-48
HOURS IT SHOULD TURN NORTHEASTWARD THEN EAST-NORTHEASTWARD IN THE
MID-LATITUDE WESTERLIES. THE NEW TRACK FORECAST IS UNCHANGED FROM
THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY.

NOTE THAT ESTIMATES OF STORM TOTAL RAINFALL HAVE BEEN INCREASED WITH
THIS ADVISORY...TO 20 INCHES.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 27/2100Z 36.2N 76.0W 70 KT 80 MPH
12H 28/0600Z 38.1N 75.1W 65 KT 75 MPH
24H 28/1800Z 41.7N 73.2W 60 KT 70 MPH...INLAND
36H 29/0600Z 46.2N 70.2W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
48H 29/1800Z 50.7N 66.3W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
72H 30/1800Z 56.5N 53.5W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
96H 31/1800Z 59.0N 37.0W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 01/1800Z 61.0N 26.0W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

$$
FORECASTER BROWN/FRANKLIN


http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/271449.shtml?
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane Irene death toll hits 5, with boy killed by tree in Virginia

August 27, 2011 | 1:08 pm

At least five people have died -- in a car accident, by heart attack and by falling trees -- as a result of Hurricane Irene, the slow-moving but powerful swirl of wind and rain that barreled ashore in North Carolina.

As the storm moved steadily north on Saturday, heavily populated areas of Washington, D.C., and New York City braced for impact. Irene is expected to continue its northward path through New England, before weakening early Sunday morning.

Storm-related disruptions of daily life were immense: More than 2 million people were ordered evacuated from low-lying areas that were expected to be inundated by surging flood waters accompanying the nearly 450-mile wide hurricane's northward 14 mph trek. The country?s largest subway system ground to a halt as New York City officials took precautions against flooding.

More...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nat...ne-boy-killed-by-fallen-tree-in-virginia.html
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

FEMA

Recent News Releases:

http://www.fema.gov/news/recentnews.fema
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

New Brunswick

Public Alert
Prepare for heavy rainfall and wind gusts

26 August 2011

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The Department of Public Safety's New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NB-EMO) is advising New Brunswickers to prepare for heavy rainfall and wind gusts beginning Sunday morning and overnight into Monday as Hurricane Irene approaches the region.

Forecasts are calling for up to 100 mm of rain, pounding surf, and wind gusts of up to 65 km/h.

"People need to pay attention to weather forecasts and take steps to ensure that their homes and properties are secure," Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors said. "While we do not know the extent of potential damage, we do know that heavy rains and wind gusts will occur. It is important that we all do our part to prepare."

Heavy rainfall can result in rapid increases in water levels in streams and rivers, and can cause localized flash flooding. They can also produce flooding, even in areas that have not been prone to floods in the past.

Farmers downstream of Mactaquac are advised that water levels in the St. John River could produce flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to the river. They should take steps to protect their livestock and equipment.

Boaters are advised that with the possibility of high winds, strong wave conditions may develop, and that they should take steps to protect boats, docks and other equipment. With the high winds, utility poles and lines are at risk of possible damage from blown down tree branches and trees, which can result in the loss of telephone and electrical services.

NB-EMO advises residents to prepare to have everything they need for up to 72 hours. Residents should stock up on food, water, medications, batteries and other necessities. The public is encouraged to download the 72-Hour Emergency Guide, which contains practical information and checklists to assist in developing an emergency plan. Copies of the guide are also available through 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232), or via email, info@GetPrepared.ca.

NB Power crews are ready. People are reminded never to touch any downed power lines or associated debris. In addition, NB Power reminds those on a well system to draw off water before the storm.

People should also check on neighbours, elderly relatives, and anyone with special medical needs, to ensure they have everything they need in the event of a power outage.

The Department of Transportation offers the following reminders to motorists:

● In severe weather, stay off the roads if possible.
● If you do have to drive in high winds, be cautious and watch for debris on the roads such as branches and trees.
● Visibility can be severely reduced during downpours; reduce your speed.
● Watch for standing water on the roads, which could cause hydroplaning.
● Be on the lookout for washed-out road shoulders and culverts. If you see any debris on the roads, or damaged culverts, report it to your local RCMP detachment.
● Be careful in construction zones, as high winds may damage or move safety signage.

The Department of Transportation has crews on standby to clean up debris as needed.

The public is reminded that the best way to access emergency services is to call 9-1-1.

All New Brunswick residents should continue to monitor conditions and local forecasts, as conditions could worsen at short notice.

LINKS:

● 72-Hour Emergency Guide: www.getprepared.ca
● Canadian Hurricane Centre: www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes
● Local weather conditions and forecasts: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
● New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization: www.gnb.ca/emo

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/public_alerts/public_alert.2011.08.0928.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------

NOVA SCOTIA

Hurricane Irene Remains a Concern
Emergency Management Office
August 26, 2011 3:46 PM
<HR>The Emergency Management Office is asking Nova Scotians to remain vigilant as Hurricane Irene makes its way up the East Coast.

"Storms like Irene are very large and areas even hundreds of kilometre outside of the track can be impacted," said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice. "Storms can also change course. But even on its current track, Irene could bring heavy wind and rain, and even storm surges, to Nova Scotia."

The projected track of the storm now falls west of Nova Scotia with the centre passing through Maine, western New Brunswick, across the Gaspe and into Labrador Sunday night and Monday morning.

"The best advice is to be prepared, monitor weather forecasts and remain alert," said Mr. Landry.

Irene is estimated to be about 700 kilometres wide, with significant wind and rain at the outer edges.

This can produce treacherous coastal conditions. People are asked to use good judgment and stay away from dangerous coastal areas Sunday and into next week.

EMO is participating in planning meetings and departments across government are alert and preparing.

Standard preparations for a severe wind and rain storm include packing a home emergency kit with a three-day supply of food and water; ensuring items such as flashlights and battery radios are on hand, and monitoring the media for forecasts and weather warnings.

Full preparation details are available on the EMO website at www.gov.ns.ca/emo .

http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110826005
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

<TABLE class=full cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=full>Irene hits North Carolina


</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></B>By Dr. Jeff Masters

<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> (function($){ $("div#socialWeather > a[id^='social']").each(function(index) { $(this).hover(function () { $(this).parent().css('background-position','0px -' +(26*(index+1))+ 'px'); }, function () { $(this).parent().css('background-position','0px 0px'); }); }); $("#socialTwitter").click(function() { locationurl="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wunderground.com%2Fblog%2FJeffMasters%2Farticle.html"; var miniurl = $.ajax({ url: "/miniurl/api.php?url="+locationurl, async: false }).responseText; if(miniurl && miniurl.length>0) pageurl="http://twitter.com/share?url=" + encodeURIComponent(miniurl) + "&via=wunderground&related=wunderground&text=Irene+hits+North+Carolina"; else pageurl="http://twitter.com/share?url=" + locationurl + "&via=wunderground&related=wunderground&text=Irene+hits+North+Carolina"; window.open(pageurl,"twitterwindow","menubar=1,resizable=0,width=550,height=370"); return false; }); })(jQuery); </SCRIPT>Published: 7:22 PM GMT on August 27, 2011


Excerpt:

Storm surge damage from Irene

The storm surge and wave action from Irene is likely to cause the greatest damage, and this will be a historic coastal flooding event for many regions of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. A storm surge of 8.5 feet was reported this morning in North Harlow, NC, and three feet in New Bern, NC. Significant wave heights (the average height of the largest 1/3 of the waves) reached 27 feet at Onslow Bay, NC this morning, and wave heights along the New Jersey shore Sunday morning during the time of high tide are expected to be 15 - 20 feet, according to the NOAA Wavewatch III model (Figure 2.) A storm surge of 3 - 6 feet is expected near Atlantic City, NJ Sunday morning, during the time of high tide. With 15 - 20 foot waves expected on top of this storm surge, there will be tremendous damage to the coast and low-lying structures. Storm surge is also a major concern for New York City. The latest NWS forecast is calling for a 5 - 8 foot storm surge in New York Harbor, which would easily top the flood walls protecting the south end of Manhattan if the storm surge occurs at high tide. High tide is near 8 am Sunday morning. A research storm surge model run by SUNY Stonybrook predicts that water levels at The Battery at the south end of Manhattan will peak at 2.2 meters above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) at high tide Sunday morning, which would be about six inches below the top of the flood wall (which is 5 feet above mean sea level.) Waves on top of the surge would likely spill over the top of the floodwall in this scenario, and cause some flooding in southern Manhattan. Andy Revkin's Dot Earth blog has links to a storm surge animation for New York City done by the SUNY Stonybrook group. Climate Central has a nice satellite image showing which parts of New York Harbor are below five feet in elevation. Storm surge heights of up to eight feet are predicted in Western Long Island Sound, and 3 - 6 feet along much of the New England coast from New York to Massachusetts. This is going to be a damaging coastal flooding event for this stretch of coast, though perhaps not as damaging as the one New Jersey will experience.

Full text:
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/article.html
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Live blog: Hurricane death toll at 9; tornado watch issued for New York

Hurricane Irene continues to crawl north after making landfall Saturday morning in North Carolina. The storm is expected to head up the East Coast from Virginia to Maine, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, flooding and widespread power outages.

Follow the latest developments here, or read the full CNN Wire story:

[Update 9:03 p.m.] Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Corey Booker said he?s been going door to door warning residents to flee the storm.
?We're strongly encouraging residents to leave,? Booker told CNN Saturday night. ?I benefited a lot from the surprise factor as the mayor showing up [at their doors],? he said. "I think they got the point, and hopefully they?ll behave appropriately. Booker said ultimately the city would do what it could to save people in distress due to the storm.


[Update 8:53 p.m.] The lower level of the George Washington Bridge, which connects New York and New Jersey, has been closed, according to the Port Authority.
The upper level of the bridge remains open, the authority said.

[Update 8:43 p.m.] A ninth person has died as a result of Hurricane Irene, officials said. A man in Chesterfield County, Virginia, died after a tree fell on his home, emergency officials said.

...

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/27/live-blog-irenes-heavy-rains-strong-winds-lash-n-c-coast/
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Hurricane Irene Arrives in NYC, Remain Indoors

Hurricane Irene is now affecting New York City, and conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight, with winds reaching 39 miles per hour and higher. A tornado watch is also in effect until 5 AM for the five boroughs.


These conditions make it unsafe to be outside. Residents should stay indoors until weather conditions improve, and take the following steps:
  • Move to a room with as few windows as possible and ride out the storm there.
  • Move as far away as possible from windows. There is a risk that debris flying about could break and shatter windows in your home.
  • Make sure windows and doors leading to the outside are closed.
  • If you have a fireplace in your home, close the damper.
  • Turn off any propane tanks.
Residents should be prepared for the possibility of power outages. Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water. If you lose power, call 311 or your power provider. Con Ed: 1-800-75-CONED, National Grid: 1-800-465-1212.

If you don't have a flashlight, and decide to use candles, use cautions and never leave candles unattended.
...

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for​

New York ​

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ny.php?x=1



National Weather Service Enhanced Radar Image

Binghamton, NY Radar

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=bgm&product=N0R&overlay=11111111&loop=no

latest_ALB_vis.jpg


All images below are centered over New York and Pennsylvania

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/bgm/products/satellite.php
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

<TABLE class=obcontainer cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Hurricane Irene Emergency Information


<TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>National Hurricane Center <TR><TD>Ready.Gov Hurricane Preparedness <TR><TD>Maps and Resources related to Hurricane Irene</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>State info: <TD>CT <TD><TD>DE <TD><TD>MA <TD><TD>MD <TD><TD>ME <TD><TD>NC <TD><TD>NH <TD><TD>NJ <TD><TD>NY <TD><TD>VA</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NYC info: <TD>Evacuation center map <TD><TD>Mayor's latest updates <TD><TD>Mayor's alerts <TD><TD>NotifyNYC alerts</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Irene expected to lash Eastern Canada early Monday

CTV News.ca Staff
Date: Sun. Aug. 28 2011 10:27 AM ET

Forecasters predict Atlantic Canada will feel the effects of an enormous storm lumbering up the U.S. Eastern Seaboard as early as Monday morning.

Once a hurricane, Tropical Storm Irene is making its gradual journey up the U.S. East Coast and is expected to cross from northern Maine into northwestern New Brunswick at about 5 a.m. on Monday.

Meteorologist Chris Fogarty with the Canadian Hurricane Centre said Irene's massive size will have consequences from Newfoundland to as far west as Quebec.

"The size of the storm is very large so the area that's going to be affected in Canada is quite extensive," he told CTV News Channel on Sunday morning.

Wind and rainfall warnings have been posted for much of Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec due to the approaching weather system.

More...
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110828/hurricane-irene-canada-110828/
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

4M Without Power As Irene Heads North​

Updated: Sunday, 28 Aug 2011, 9:46 AM EDT
Published : Sunday, 28 Aug 2011, 9:46 AM EDT

(AP) - More than 4 million homes and businesses were without power Sunday morning as what was Hurricane Irene continued to roar up the East Coast and took aim at the New York City area and New England.​


Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpps/news/4m...rth-dpgapx-km-20110828_14758071#ixzz1WKqpdwNI
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Tropical Storm IRENE Public Advisory

000
WTNT34 KNHC 281457
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 33
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...CENTER OF IRENE INLAND OVER SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK STATE...
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...


SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...41.4N 73.7W
ABOUT 10 MI...20 KM W OF DANBURY CONNECTICUT
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 26 MPH...43 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...966 MB...28.53 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE HURRICANE WARNING FROM CHINCOTEAGUE VIRGINIA TO SAGAMORE BEACH
MASSACHUSETTS IS CHANGED TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING. ALL WARNINGS
HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST SOUTH OF
CHINCOTEAGUE AND FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF NORTH BEACH.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* CHINCOTEAGUE VIRGINIA NORTHWARD TO EASTPORT MAINE...
INCLUDING CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF NORTH BEACH...DELAWARE BAY...NEW
YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT
AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET
* UNITED STATES/CANADA BORDER NORTHEASTWARD TO FORT LAWRENCE
INCLUDING GRAND MANAN
* SOUTH COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM FORT LAWRENCE TO PORTERS LAKE

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN EASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM IRENE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 41.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 73.7 WEST. IRENE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 26 MPH...43 KM/H...AND THIS
MOTION WITH A LITTLE FASTER FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT
DAY OR SO. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MOVE
OVER NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND LATER TODAY AND OVER EASTERN CANADA
TONIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 60 MPH...95 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. IRENE IS FORECAST TO WEAKEN AND BECOME A POST-TROPICAL
CYCLONE BY TONIGHT.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 320 MILES...520 KM
FROM THE CENTER. A WEATHERFLOW STATION ON FIRE ISLAND RECENTLY
REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 50 MPH...80 KM/H...WITH A GUST TO 63
MPH...101 KM/H.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 966 MB...28.53 INCHES.
CENTRAL PARK IN NEW YORK CITY REPORTED 966.5 MB...28.54 AS THE
CENTER PASSED THIS MORNING.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL FROM WESTERN
PORTIONS OF LONG ISLAND ISLAND SOUND EASTWARD ALONG THE SOUTHERN
COASTS OF CONNECTICUT...RHODE ISLAND...AND MASSACHUSETTS. THE
HIGHEST SURGES WILL OCCUR NEAR THE UPPER PARTS OF BAYS AND INLETS.
NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE...
DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES. HIGHER THAN NORMAL
ASTRONOMICAL TIDES ARE OCCURRING THIS WEEKEND. COASTAL AND RIVER
FLOODING WILL BE HIGHEST IN AREAS WHERE THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS
AROUND THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE. STORM TIDE AND SURGE VALUES ARE VERY
LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES. WATER LEVELS
ALONG THE NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE COAST INCLUDING DELAWARE BAY WILL
SUBSIDE TODAY.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 4 TO 8 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 12 INCHES...
FROM NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY NORTHWARD
INTO NEW YORK STATE AND INTERIOR NEW ENGLAND. THESE RAINS...
COMBINED WITH HEAVY RAINS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS...COULD
CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING...LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS...AND
SIGNIFICANT UPROOTING OF TREES DUE TO RAIN-SOFTENED GROUNDS.

WIND...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL SPREAD NORTHWARD INTO
NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND ATLANTIC CANADA TODAY. WINDS AFFECTING
THE UPPER FLOORS OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY
STRONGER THAN THOSE NEAR GROUND LEVEL.

TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...200 PM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...500 PM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER PASCH/BLAKE

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/281457.shtml
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

New Brunswick

News Release

Public Safety
Hurricane Irene update / Prepare for high winds and heavy rain

28 August 2011

FREDERICTON (CNB) - As Hurricane Irene approaches the region, New Brunswickers are reminded to prepare for heavy rainfall wind gusts beginning today and overnight into Monday.

The Department of Public Safety's New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NB-EMO) advises that most areas of the province can expect rainfall of up to 80 mm, with the potential for up to 100 mm in some areas. In addition, wind speeds of 65 km/h can be expected, with gusts of over 80 km/h tonight.

Many parts of New Brunswick have received higher than normal rainfall amounts this summer; therefore, all those in flood-prone areas should be on alert and take steps to prepare. In addition, should rainfall amounts exceed current projections, all areas of the province are at risk, even those that have not traditionally been affected by flooding.

Storm surges, pounding surf and high seas are also possible along coastal areas. New Brunswickers are reminded to take all proper precautions to ensure that their homes, boats, docks and properties are secured. They should also continue to monitor local weather forecasts for the most up to date information.

"As this storm approaches, we urge people to do their part to prepare," Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors said. "We are actively monitoring the storm, and we have officials from all departments and organizations who are ready to do their part to ensure that New Brunswickers will be safe."

Farmers downstream of Mactaquac are advised that water levels in the St. John River could produce flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to the river. They should take steps to protect their livestock and equipment.

Commercial operations such as aquaculture and water-control dam operators should take measures to secure their infrastructure and operations.

Boaters are advised that with the possibility of high winds, strong wave conditions may develop, and that they should take steps to protect boats, docks and other equipment. With the high winds, utility poles and lines are at risk of possible damage from blown down tree branches and trees, which can result in the loss of telephone and electrical services.

NB-EMO advises residents to prepare to have everything they need for up to 72 hours. Residents should stock up on food, water, medications, batteries and other necessities. The public is encouraged to download the 72-Hour Emergency Guide, which contains practical information and checklists to assist in developing an emergency plan. Copies of the guide are also available through 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232), or via email, info@GetPrepared.ca.

NB Power has crews ready. People are reminded never to touch any downed power lines or associated debris. In addition, NB Power reminds those on a well system to draw off water before the storm.

People should also check on neighbours, elderly relatives, and anyone with special medical needs, to ensure they have everything they need in the event of a power outage.

The Department of Transportation offers the following reminders to motorists:
● In severe weather, stay off the roads if possible.
● If you do have to drive in high winds, be cautious and watch for debris on the roads such as branches and trees.
● Visibility can be severely reduced during downpours; reduce your speed.
● Watch for standing water on the roads, which could cause hydroplaning.
● Be on the lookout for washed-out road shoulders and culverts. If you see any debris on the roads, or damaged culverts, report it to your local RCMP detachment.
● Be careful in construction zones, as high winds may damage or move safety signage.

The Department of Transportation has crews on standby to clean up debris as needed.

The public is reminded that the best way to access emergency services is to call 9-1-1.
All New Brunswick residents should continue to monitor conditions and local forecasts, as conditions could worsen at short notice.

● 72-Hour Emergency Guide: www.getprepared.ca
● Canadian Hurricane Centre: www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes
● Local weather conditions and forecasts: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
● New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization: www.gnb.ca/emo




28-08-11

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2011.08.0930.html
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Nova Scotia

Use Caution as Irene Approaches

<!-- Content --><!-- 12 -->Emergency Management Office

August 28, 2011 12:12 PM

<HR>As tropical storm Irene works up the eastern seaboard, the Emergency Management Office asks Nova Scotians to use caution.

The large and powerful storm will affect the entire Atlantic region today, Aug. 28, and overnight into Monday.

"Let's all give this storm the respect it deserves," said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice. "Irene will bring heavy rain and high winds and the hazards those conditions can create. Please err on the side of caution."

The eye of Irene is over New Jersey this morning with the storm stretching over New England. Tropical storm and winds warnings are in place for much of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

Storms of this kind can bring localized flooding, storm surge, dangerous coastal conditions and interruptions in essential services. Provincial parks on mainland Nova Scotia will close at noon today.

"I can not emphasize enough how important it is to keep a safe and reasonable distance from coastal areas," said Mr. Landry.

Nova Scotians should already have restocked emergency kits and be prepared to be self sufficient for up to three days. People should also review family emergency plans and secure property, ensuring anything that could become a projectile in high winds is put away or tied down.

As the storm gets closer today and overnight, it is recommended that people stay in their homes. People should not travel during the storm as flooding and debris can make road conditions unsafe. Thousands of flights on the eastern seaboard have been cancelled. Check arrivals and departures before going to the airport.

People should continue to monitor weather watches and warnings, and listen for updates and information on local radio stations. For updates and information on what to do before, during and after a major storm, visit www.gov.ns.ca/emo.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20110828002
 
Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

Re: Hurricane Irene taking aim at the east coast of the United States - Watches and Warnings issued

FEMA

August 28, 2011

Irene Update 23: Stay Safe If Your Area is Affected

Posted by: Public Affairs

6088473771_c0c32b8a6e.jpg

August 28, 2011 - Red Cross volunteers Rick Knight, standing, and Dick Stelmat, seated, plot Connecticut shelter locations on a map in the Connecticut Region Headquarters in Farmington, CT. (Photo Credit: Paul D. Shipman/American Red Cross)

Our thoughts and prayers are with those that have been impacted by Irene, as we continue to closely monitor the storm as it makes landfall in New York and New England. Along with the entire federal family, we?re continuing to lean forward to support our tribal, state and territorial partners as Hurricane Irene continues north along the eastern seaboard, having already affected Puerto Rico and several East Coast states.

Even though Irene is now a tropical storm, it is critical that residents and businesses continue to listen to the instructions of their local officials and closely follow news and weather reports. Tropical storms still bring high sustained winds, heavy rains, and can cause dangerous conditions and flash flooding.

If you?re in an area already affected by Irene, here are a few reminders on staying safe:

  • Stay away from downed power lines, flooded roadways and fallen tree limbs.
  • If your area has lost, or may lose, electricity, remember to never use portable generators indoors or in garages, basements or sheds. The exhaust from generators contains high levels of carbon monoxide that can quickly incapacitate and kill.
  • Don?t drive or walk through flooded areas. The reason that so many people drown during flooding is because few of them realize the incredible power of water. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes only two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles -- this includes pickups and SUVs.
  • If you have evacuated, don?t return home until the all clear is given by local officials. There may be hazards that prevent you from being able to return home such as downed power lines, road closures, roads or bridges that are impassable, and traffic lights not working.
What We?re Doing
Our immediate focus and priority, as we move from into the response and initial recovery phase, is to do everything we can to support first responders and emergency managers at the frontlines with efforts to keep residents and communities safe. Here?s a brief update on what we?re doing:

  • We?ve proactively positioned a total of 18 Incident Management Assistance Teams along the coast to coordinate with state, tribal and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls affecting potential disaster response and recovery.
  • Six national urban search and rescue teams, comprised of more than 500 personnel, are activated and ready to deploy if needed.
  • Community relations teams are being staged to support states along the East Coast. These teams, if needed, help inform disaster survivors about available services and resources.
  • Mobile Emergency Response System assets have been strategically located along the entire east coast to support emergency response communications needs.
And although the storm is still passing through the Northeast, some may already be thinking about how they can help the survivors and affected communities. Remember to not send unsolicited donations after a disaster, but to go through a recognized disaster relief organization to find out what the needs are. Cash is often the most efficient way to help those affected by a disaster. Cash donations allow voluntary and faith-based organizations to fund response and recovery efforts, obtain goods and services locally, and provide direct financial assistance to disaster survivors to meet their own needs.

For the latest developments hurricane Irene, check out the National Hurricane Center full (www.hurricanes.gov) or mobile website (http://hurricanes.gov/mobile).

...
http://blog.fema.gov/search/label/Severe Tropical Weather
 
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