Sunday Storm Thread

Filed in National by on October 28, 2012

Use this thread for updates on the storm, your cooking adventures, status of the alcohol consumption, looter sightings, next-door neighbor lunacies and anything else storm-related. I am posting some images sent to me throughout the day — if you have any good ones, post them here or send them to one of the Editors to post.

Geting the oligatory political commentary out of the way:

Here is a picture from a long-time commenter of Alex Pires out inspecting his signs or something. He clearly isn’t getting those into that Porsche:

This Trooper is reported to be AOK, but embarassed:

Washed out Sussex road:

What might be my favorite:

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"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." -Shirley Chisholm

Comments (47)

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  1. cassandra_m says:

    From DelDOT:

    Since noon today, tolls on northbound Route 1 have been waived. Vehicles are being directed onto the EZ-Pass lanes. This will continue until 8 p.m. tonight. This will help the smooth evacuation of people leaving the coastal areas.

  2. auntie dem says:

    Just back from what is hopefully my last trip to Zingo’s. Happy to report that our Democratic candidates have taken down all their signs in the Hockessin/Pike Creek area. Not so happy to report that the Rethugs’s signs are all still up. I hope they manage to get them down before they become unguided missles across our roadways. That is an unneccessary complication our first responders don’t need to deal with if things get ugly out there.

    Light rain and breezes here in NW DE at 2:30PM Sunday. Neighbors are taking down Halloween decorations. Good neighbors.

  3. Mike Matthews says:

    Great pics, cassandra. Thanks for this.

    As fat as my food adventures, it honestly seems like the only time I cook is when we have one of these storms with projected days off from school. I can’t remember the last time I cooked. So I will again be cooking over the next few days. Tonight making a pot of chicken and dumplings with the slick and slippery kind of dumplings. My secret is to put a few dashes of Goya Adobo seasoning into the mix. Gives it great flavor. Tomorrow I’ll be making some braised short ribs. The short rib is probably my favorite cut of beef. It’s the most flavorful and it just falls apart when cooked properly. I’ll also be making some ice cream. Not sure which flavor, though. I’ll be sure to share my endeavors here — as long as the power doesn’t go out!

  4. Andrew Groff says:

    Well there is one good thing about not having too many signs and a pickup truck to get’um in. Tonight the family will be enjoying grilled pork loin w/rosemary and garlic on the bbq; Roasted veggies while the oven still works. I too love cooking in a storm for some reason. If the power goes out the grill will be running overtime. The pot-pie squares sound like a good idea too Mike. Be safe all!

  5. cassandra_m says:

    If the power goes out, the rule is to eat the ice cream first, then fire up the smoker.

    ps. Mike, where do you buy your short ribs from? I’m having a hard time finding good ones here.

  6. cassandra_m says:

    Google has a great tool creating crisis maps for Mother Nature’s Big Events. It is meant to be a one top info resource on weather, emergency notifications, shelters, etc. While this is an amazing idea, I have no idea how accurate it is.

  7. V says:

    if you really want to terrify yourself the map cass linked to lets you put in locations to zoom in. I typed in Delaware, then out of curiosity I put in my address. The line representing the eye passes SIX BLOCKS from my house.

  8. Pooker Jones says:

    Del Dot came by along the Concord / Baynard corridor and took down all the road work signs.

    Our annoying neighbors don’t want to park their cars under the trees in front of their house on the Boulevard, so they moved them to our block without trees. I know my neighbor next door is not going to be happy when he gets home later today. Isn’t it city courtesy to park in front of your own damn house?

    Last night we made pumpkin/sausage soup, fried green tomatoes and flatbread. Served with home brewed Pumpkin beer.

    Tonight roast beef, wine and or Sangria.

    I really should get in the kitchen to make us some cookies. After the Falcons finish kicking the hinies of those lousy Eagles and their imposter quarterback Vick. Ha!

  9. cassandra_m says:

    Isn’t it city courtesy to park in front of your own damn house?

    Only if you put out orange cones or folding chairs to hold your space.

    πŸ˜†

  10. Jason330 says:

    A guy a few doors down in my southern NCC neighborhood boarded up his windows. Really, dude? Also, Isn’t this thing over yet? The storm isn’t to the Outer Banks yet and I’m over it.

  11. Pooker Jones says:

    I guess Cassandra, but these folks don’t even live on our block and there is space in front of their houses. But, the guy next door found a spot so all is well. Just 4 extra cars on the block that belong to folks who live on another block.

    πŸ™‚

    Storm prep check list:

    Furniture off porch and deck and put in garage
    Wind chimes removed
    Sun sail removed from over deck
    All items that can be ruined elevated off basement floor
    Car boys full of water
    Trip to Veritas for wine completed
    Kindle charging
    Computers charging
    Flashlight works
    Candles
    Soup and fruit to eat

  12. Only big signs I saw up on my way home from work at 5 p.m. were Sher Valenzuela’s. Don’t think Cragg had any signs to take down…

  13. Delaware Dem says:

    This house in Broadkill Beach is doomed.

  14. Delaware Dem says:

    The ocean has reached the Indian River Inlet road.

  15. Pooker Jones says:

    Del Dems Pic WOW!

  16. Delaware Dem says:

    With this storm, I think it is quite possible the strip of land (the 50 yards wide piece of land north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge) will cease to exist.

  17. geezer says:

    @DD re the Broadkill house: Maybe not. There’s a lot of clearance between the pilings, which if properly driven can withstand a lot of water pressure, and the normal water level. Even if the house is washed away — depends on how high the waves get — those pilings should be there afterwards. It doesn’t look like much to rebuild.

    In the poorer parts of the Dominican Republic, they make the houses flimsy so they can rebuild easily after the storms knock them apart. They lack indoor plumbing and kitchens, so if they can find the lumber they can rebuild quickly.

  18. geezer says:

    “It is quite possible the strip of land (the 50 yards wide piece of land north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge) will cease to exist.”

    It would be the best thing for the water quality of the bay in decades.

    And I agree: Wow. Are you shooting these yourself, DD? Stay safe!

  19. Paula says:

    Nothing special weather-wise in North Wilmington (IHM area). I, too, had the sudden urge to cook today. I made ajvar (eggplant and pepper spread) using homegrown jalapenos, and a pot of black bean stew using (you guessed it) homegrown jalapenos.

    We just got a new roof last week — way to test the warranty!

  20. pandora says:

    I am trying to remain calm. My son attends college on Long Island. I’m driving him crazy with my texts, but I’m sorta freaking out!

  21. Delaware Dem says:

    Pandora, Long Island will be fine. We are the ones who are doomed. He should be texting you.

    Geezer, no, I am pulling the pics off the #sandyde twitter feed. I am happily boarded up in my humble abode in Talleyville.

  22. pandora says:

    LOL! He is answering my texts. His last one read: “I am fine, Mom. Just hanging out with a pretty girl.”

    Gotta love it.

  23. Delaware Dem says:

    Stop bothering him. Nothing kills the mood more than texts from Mom. Hahahahaha

  24. Aoine says:

    @Geezer – i know you think you are and expert on all things – but let me remind you of something

    1.Sandy is not even really here yet – this is the outer layers and bands

    2. when she does make landfall – it is a full moon tomorrow and she will hit at high tide Approx – a very bad scenario

    3. on top off all that there are winds puching the water further and further up on shore and the sustained winds will keep the water there

    4.it aint pretty – grew up in an area with nor’easters and hurricanes all my life – been watching homes fall into the ocean for over 40 years – the house may not fall but the damage will be so severe that it will be condemed – unless moved – and the Insc co may not re-insure there

    me thinks this time we have a bad storm….

  25. cassandra_m says:

    Have some more wine, P. The kid needs some non-Mom storm memories, you know?

  26. pandora says:

    Pouring wine as I type. And… I haven’t texted since that message. I deserve a medal!

  27. Joe Cass says:

    Always about you. : )

  28. Pooker Jones says:

    Good for you Pandora. Let the boy enjoy his time. And yes, more wine please.

  29. pandora says:

    Joe, don’t make me write a scathing comment! πŸ˜‰

    Pooker, sounds like you’re only a few blocks from me – possible Hurricane party! Woot!

  30. Pooker Jones says:

    Hurricane Party sounds good. Though we are on wine bottle #2 already. I guess tomorrow will be beer!

  31. AQC says:

    I’m already sick of being in the house!

  32. pandora says:

    Oh, I have LOTS of wine… and beer, and scotch, and whiskey. My parents arrived from the beach and added to our stash! Good Grandmom and PopPop!

  33. Pooker Jones says:

    I like your status Pandora. Ride out Frankenstorm with booze.

  34. V says:

    Work is cancelled. Out comes the Hurricane Mix.

  35. Pooker Jones says:

    What is in a hurricane? other than Rum

  36. Pencadermom says:

    Those pictures are crazy. The little house reminds me of the Fisher Price Little People house from the 70’s.
    A friend in Pot Nets posted pictures. Their little beach is gone and lots of flooding. And those pictures were posted about 6 hours ago.

  37. Aoine says:

    U can use grenadine and fruit punch…….

    Make it on ice or frozen u can add some orange juice to the fruit punch,,,,,to taste

    And a cherry and a slice of pineapple.

    Or more pineapple juice insted of OJ

    Or orange juice and pineaple juice together with rum and grenadine

    And rum……of course

  38. Pooker Jones says:

    Think I will stick with Rum and pineapple juice don’t have fruit punch or grenadine.

  39. John Young says:

    starting off with cheap beer. Easy does it.

  40. Aoine says:

    Add a spalsh of OJ if you have it…….

    v8 splash is also really really good with rum

    There there is the ubuquitous Dark n Stormy…… Perfect for this weather!

  41. cassandra_m says:

    Governor orders Level 2 driving restrictions starting Monday AM:

    Delaware Driving Restrictions Begin at 5 AM on Monday

    Governor Markell Orders β€œLevel Two” Restrictions as Sandy Approaches State

    Wilmington, DE – With Sandy’s impending arrival tomorrow bringing sustained 30-40 mph winds in the morning, heavy rains and wind throughout the day and limited visibility for motorists, Governor Jack Markell ordered statewide β€œLevel Two” driving restrictions beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Monday.

    According to state law, a ‘Level 2 Driving Restriction’ provides that no person shall operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways other than essential personnel. ‘Essential personnel’ includes those employees necessary to maintain the core functions of government and maintain health and safety by providing utility services, healthcare services, and food and fuel deliveries. In addition, some private employers have received a waiver from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency for essential employees.

    For Monday morning, forecasters now expect 30 to 40 mile per hour sustained winds and heavy driving rain, which will make driving visibility very poor. Traffic managers say traffic signals will be hard to see because of the sustained wind. At 40 mile per hour winds, DelDOT and other responders are not supposed to be out of their vehicles. At 50 miles per hour, which may be reached Monday afternoon, bridges over the Chesapeake and Delaware canal will close.

    “People have had several days to be out preparing for the storm’s arrival. When Sandy hits on Monday, they should be at home or if necessary a shelter to wait out the worst of the storm,” Markell said. “β€œDo not put yourself on the road. Do not put yourself – and those who may need to rescue you – at risk.”

    A violation of Level Two driving restriction has a penalty of a fine of up to $115 on first offense, and a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail for subsequent offenses.

    On Saturday, Markell declared a State of Emergency and ordered a mandatory evacuation of flood-prone areas. Earlier this evening, when the evacuation period had ended, Markell implemented a Level One driving warning, encouraging motorists to stay off the roads and businesses to keep employees home.

  42. Liberal Elite says:

    When I was very young, I learned a hurricane poem. It went like this:

    June too soon
    July stand by
    August a must
    September remember
    October all over

    But now that we have warmer water due to massive global warming, the poem is obsolete. We’ll now get hurricanes all year around. This year, we had TWO named storms in May… First time that’s ever happened, and now we have a massive category 2 storm that will linger into November.

    I wonder what kind of storms our great grandchildren will witness.

  43. Paula says:

    I was looking for a list of emergency shelters in northern NCC, and the county website had me going around in circles. No list, and no link.

    The Red Cross has a list:
    http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Delaware-Shelters-Open
    The two in NCC are at William Penn HS and Middletown HS.

  44. Aoine says:

    @LE. Is she a cat 2 I know the millibars r still at 950 and the winds were upped to 80mph

    But has she actually increased? To a cat 2? I can tell u that the winds are bad in sussex

    Sustained and few lulls. – the sounds on the roof enough to wake us up

  45. Aoine says:

    My question just got answered:

    As of right now -Sandy has officially STRENGTHENED. millibars dropped to 946mbs. And well defined eye tried to form iver night. – And winds increased to 85-90 landfall closer to Lewes, De or wildwood New Jersey

  46. Mike Matthews says:

    They are hard to find, Cassandra! There were none at Pathmark so I went to the Shop Rite on the Riverfront and got some. They are not cheap, either! But they will be delicious tonight. I have the perfect red wine for braising.