Hurricane Irene--getting ready...just in case

I'm from New Orleans. We track hurricanes. When a storm in "out there" we pay attention to the sky and the news station more often than usual. We are "lay-meteorologists." I remember my family having a tracking map every Hurricane season and writing the current storm's coordinates out until it hit land. Even though we now have the Internet and sophisticated technology, my mother still has her tracking map.

So with Hurricane Irene tracked to strike my new home in the Northeast, my Hurricane tracking tendencies are in full gear.

Hurricanes aren't a yearly occurrence here, as they are back home. But I know better. I still regard Hurricanes with the same level of hyper vigilance, awe and respect--you just don't play with 'em. If you're from a place that get Hurricanes on a regular basis, when a storm is heading your way, there's an internal shift that happens. You can't really explain what the feeling is, but you know some thing's coming. You know to start getting ready as soon as you can.

My mother's Hurricane tracking tendencies have kicked in too. She called me this morning, asking me about our preparations. I explained to her that we are on top of it. I am busy doing laundry, cleaning out old stuff from the fridge, getting all of our important papers together and things that we would not want to be without if Irene hits hard and if we need to evacuate (which we will definitely do.)

From today's Boston.com

But one thing is certain, said Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton.

“We’re not getting out of this without some significant weather one way or the other,” he said. “This is not, like, ‘There it goes! Near miss.’"

Storms are unpredictable. The best thing to do is not underestimate mother nature, not get caught "halfsteppin" and be prepared.

Irene is days out and could possibly show what's left of her face sometime on Sunday. Yes, I know that's a while off, but I know better. Send us your love and well wishes. My folk in the Northeast--don't wait until Saturday to get ready--do it now.

That being said, here are a few links that my New England folks should check out.

FEMA
National Hurricane Center
Bob Breck: The meteorologist I've watch my entire life!

The winds are already picking up outside. I hear the blinds banging against the window. The animals are chillin' out. I'm paying attention to my dreams in a different way. I know it's Thursday, but like I said--I'm from New Orleans.


Other news:
Friday Link love tomorrow. Ya'll come on back, ya hear?