Preparing for Hurricane Irene

New Jersey is a place where you usually don't have to worry about things like tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes. However, this week we have experienced an earthquake (small tremors from a larger quake in Virginia) and this weekend we are hunkering down for Hurricane Irene. This will be the largest hurricane to hit New Jersey directly since 1944.

I remember a few hurricanes in my life, but they never hit directly on top of New Jersey. We always experienced the outer bands. Irene, though is headed right for us and is expected to reach us by midnight tonight. As of yesterday, the state has called for mandatory evacutations of all the beaches and low lying areas and travel to the shore has been blocked.

It's scary really. We have been watching the news almost non-stop making sure we have the most up-to-date information available. The images from North Carolina (were the storm is currently) are down right frightening. The force of the winds (up to 80 mph) and the churning of the sea make you realize just how fierce this thing is and how much damage it can really cause.

So, even though we may have over prepared, I feel better that we have taken every precaution to ensure our family and belongings are safe. We have food. We have water. We have batteries. We have entertainment for our son. And we have entertainment for us. The laptops, iPad, LeapPad, and iPhones are set for charging incase we lose power. We have removed furniture from our balcony and taped our windows. And in the event that we have no power for a few says, we are prepared to head to my parents house a few towns over since they have a generator ready to go.

The lenses I ordered for my iPhone are due to be delivered today in the mail and I'm excited to get some great photos to share. My intention is to blog throughout the storm and document the chain of events that we are going to encounter, not only for others to see, but so one day I can show our son what his first hurricane was like. If I am unable to post, I will keep a running blog and upload as soon as possible. So, stay tuned for those and some pictures of what we are seeing.

Currently, the sky is cloudy and we have seen a few raindrops. The air, though, is very heavy and thick and oddly calm for what is coming. As I look out the window, there are people coming home with groceries and provisions.

For those of you that are or will be affected by Irene, please listen to the warnings and get prepared. Stay inside and do everything in your power to ensure the safety of your family, pets and home.