Nov 1, 2012

Lucky

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I'm mostly feeling lucky.

We escaped the storm with no damage to home or cars. The storm surge was a huge concern. It was supposed to be anywhere from 8-12 feet above normal at high tide on Monday night. And 12 feet would have meant about 2 feet of water in our living room. So that would have sucked. But he storm moved faster than anticipated and the storm surge was about half of what was feared. So the water wound up a few feet short of reaching our door, but it was touch and go there for a little while. We got lucky.

As close as I am to the water on the north shore here on Long Island, my mother is just as close on the south shore. About 10 feet above sea level, just like we are. The water from the Great South Bay reached the end of her block in one direction and the next street over right behind her was completely flooded because of the creek and marina there. Again, it was touch and go for a while. She got lucky.

Mom got power back on Wednesday afternoon. I'm still without power and internet, so I headed out to her place. Today was the first time I've seen news coverage since Monday afternoon. Lots and lots and lots of folks weren't as lucky as we were. Huge trees down all over. Power lines down. Homes and cars wrecked. Forget abut the shoreline. It will probably never be the same. I've heard tell of new inlets across Fire Island and some of the other barrier beaches here. And if you had a home on one of those islands? Not so lucky.

I hope this post finds you safe and sound if you were affected by this bitch of a storm. I hope you have power and heat and all of your loved ones around you. I hope you were one of the lucky ones.

13 comments:

Happy Mommy said...

So glad you got lucky. My family did too. I'm in FL, but my family is still in NJ. I've been worried for all my friends and family. Say, you're friends with Slyde. Do you know how he fared?

Verdant Earl said...

Happy Mommy - I haven't heard from him yet. Lots of power outages and down cell service. Just sent him an email.

Poppy said...

I'm not sure if you also saw, but several hospitals had to be evacuated in Manhattan, and the power is still out in lower Manhattan, which is why I'm stuck at home all week (my job is in lower MN) while Dawg is working almost around the clock since Sunday to evacuate patients that he will have to move back to those same hospitals as early as next week. I am emotionally exhausted, he is every kind of exhausted. But our home has power, heat, Internet, and love.

I am very glad you all are ok.

Seals said...

Glad you are OK.

savannah said...

glad you're ok, sweet pea!!! love to you and yours. xoxoxox

marty mankins said...

So happy to hear you, your family, home and belongings made it unscathed.

Unknown said...

Mr Earl, glad to have you back safely. Baseball and bourbon would not have been the same with out you.

Suzi Q said...

Didn't have a post from you for a couple of days, so good to hear everything is ok!

Heff said...

Good to hear. Keep us posted about Slyde....

Unknown said...

Glad you're OK (for the most part)

I am facebook friends with Slyde. He's ok but not fairing so well. They did not get a generator, they don't have power and last I saw he's out of gas in his car too. That's what little I know about that.

Dr Zibbs said...

Glad to hear!

Mrs. Hall said...

was about to email you actually. going to check on things. slyde is having a rough go of it, he posts updates on facebook. anyway, hope things will continue to be well for you.

;)

-

Kate said...

Been wondering how you all were doing. Luck be your lady that night.