Tracking Hurricane Irene

[Charlotte Radford]

 

It is looking more and more like Irene won't hit Florida directly, and so it looks like O Town is spared this time.   To all those people in NC who are looking at an incoming devastating storm, I offer my prayers.  Preparation is the key, as I am sure everyone knows. 

 

We always keep emergency items in our house.  There are always batteries (assorted sizes), at least 10 gallons of water, and food for at least a week.  We have a radio that is our "hurricane radio".  It is a little battery operated Sanyo, called "the hurricane radio" because it was all I had for 6 days after Charlie hit Orlando and we lost power that long.

We also have a portable generator if things get really bad, and a corded telephone.  In disaster times, I have found cell phones refuse to work, and even if they do, you can't use them because it's reserved for emergency personnel. 

 

The Owl will probably get more rain than Orlando will.  Florida, it appears, will be getting the bands so it's rain and wind for us.  We are going to try to move the Endless Wind (my son's sailboat) to the hard this weekend and so far it looks as if the wind won't be too strong.  Crossing my fingers.

 

Totally off topic, but I found this link regarding Princess Grace (which I see every time I sail) very interesting.  Here it is: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/27545854/detail.html    I believe that the concerns of the residents are well-founded.  The boat is at anchor, but is not so stuck that it doesn't swing around.   180 feet...if it hit one of the bridges, the ship would take them out in a heartbeat. 

 

Sailing has been AWESOME this summer.   I have learned so much about single handling the Owl.  I continue to take the Owl out of the marina without causing major damage to any of the slipped boats.  I continue to practice anchoring.  Getting back into the marina causes me some anxiety, but then again, I just have to keep practicing!! 

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer....take care.  Stay dry!

 

[Silver girl]

Bummer... I heard of Irene through the school grapevine, now summer's over & I'm back into my student-teaching, I was quite oblivious to the welfare of my friend Captain Bill. (He turned me from lake-sailor to offshore-seaman this summer, taking me along as crew for 4000nm of boat deliveries through the Caribbean & Gulf.)

 

Tues 8/23 his text read "I'm on a plane to Marsh Harbour Bahamas" to which I cavalierly replied "wish I was with ya" 

 

His Spot Tracker's not working... no word yet. I have to remember he's the best boat captain and navigator; I just cannot imagine what client / price convinced him to go rescue a boat, that I see *now* was in the absolute eye of the storm. I'm sure he will have tales to tell when he calls. He must be sleeping now, a Cat3 summer's nap; I hope he gets cell service soon.... oy vey, wet phone I'm sure.

[Charlotte Radford]

Hi Lola: Yes, earthquakes are not a problem in Florida.  A blessing.

I hope that everything works out ok, and that the hurricane misses you.  Preparations that are not needed will be the best scenario possible. 

 

[LOLA]

I am preparing for Hurricane and Earthquakes here in NC