Hurricane Irene Intensifying Has Its Sights on Virginia
August 23, 2011
Hurricane Irene is picking up power as it churns its way East of the Dominican Republic on a west-northwesterly path. Irene is now a Category 2 hurricane but it is expected to become a larger, more powerful Category 3 storm with winds over 110 miles per hour by Wednesday. The news gets worse: Irene is expected to grow into a massive Category 4 storm as it nears the southeastern coast of the United States by Friday.
Irene is the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season and it is looking as though it is going to be the first hurricane to hit the US since Ike thrashed the Texas coastline in 2008. Residents in Virginia are being told to keep an eye on developing weather reports concerning Irene. Depending on which way the storm moves once it zeroes in on the US, the central portion of Virginia could see heavy rainfall as the storm moves its way up the eastern coastline later Saturday and on through Sunday. The eastern portion of Virginia could receive the worst amount of damage with storm surges and flooding from heavy rains. Properties from Norfolk to DC could be impacted by the pending storm system.
The National Hurricane Center has said that the longer Irene remains over the Gulf Stream, the stronger and more perilous it will become. The area of Virginia near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is the portion of Virginia which is the most susceptible to hurricanes. If Irene sets her sights on this area, residents there should be prepared for severe storm surges. Flooding rain in the region is also very likely and in fact, some forecasters are warning residents in the area that Irene could bring in over five inches of rain.
Although Virginia’s coastal and eastern regions are especially at risk for a major storm like Irene, the impacts of the storm’s winds and flooding can adversely affect any part of the state. The best defense against the perils and destruction caused by hurricanes like this is to stay informed and to be prepared. Local and state officials can and will order evacuations if they believe Irene will be a safety concern or if they think it is going to cause serious damage. State residents are being urged to visit the state’s Dept. of Emergency Management website to learn how to prepare.
Virginians are also being reminded that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It takes thirty days for a flood insurance policy to take effect and if you wait until a few days before a hurricane strikes, it is too late to receive coverage. Residents living in areas prone to storm surges are being told to be ready to evacuate due to flooding if told to do so.
New York City Swamped with Heavy Flooding
August 15, 2011
Heavy rainstorms caused major flooding across New York City over the weekend. There were over ten inches of rain recorded in Lido Beach by sunset Sunday. Brooklyn suffered heavy flooding along the Belt Parkway with reports of many vehicles being stranded in the deep water.
On Staten Island, flooded streets led to authorities warning residents and motorists to use extreme caution when out. There were many cars in Staten Island stuck on roadways – abandoned after their drivers attempted to drive through the deep water. New Jersey also experienced flash flooding although the water levels are not considered to be something to become overly concerned about.
A slow moving rain system is moving its way through New York and flash flood watches are in effect until at least Monday evening. The heavy rainfall and flooding Sunday was the cause of power outages and train service disruptions throughout metro New York. At JFK International Airport, 8 inches of rain fell Sunday night which is the most ever recorded there during a 24 hour period. The previous record was set back in the early 1980s at just over 6 inches, so says the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service also is warning residents in the greater New York area that the rainfall can go on into Tuesday. New York City’s Dept. of Environmental Protection had two dozen maintenance crews working overnight as well as numerous emergency repair crews.
In Queens, many homes were inundated with flood water. In some areas of the borough, four feet of water were left standing in basements of homes and businesses. Many affected residents had nowhere to go as they were surprised by the flooding and by how quickly it rushed into their garages and basements. Two thousand Con Ed customers were left without power Sunday in Brooklyn because manholes flooded and the storms knocked down several power lines.
The American Red Cross is providing affected families with temporary housing in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Many local beaches were shut down in the area due to concerns that bacteria could build up on them. News crews on Staten Island captured shocking video of motorists standing in waist to chest high water outside their vehicles at one intersection as several cars become totally submerged and had to be pulled to dry ground. Staten Island has had flooding problems in the past, but nothing on this scale. Many Staten Island residents report stagnant water in their basements due to poor drainage.
