Preparing for "Sandy" (And Hoping For No More Storms)

I am getting ready for “Sandy” and paying attention to the news as meteorologists predict this is the largest storm of its kind in the history of storms since the 1800s.

I am boiling eggs for an impromptu tuna salad, storing water (a gallon per person for three days) placing all our medicines in one plastic bag, plenty of canned food and batteries for the flashlights.

In New Jersey over 60,000 people have been ordered to evacuate low-lying areas in Monmouth, Ocean Counties and the Raritan Bay.  Atlantic City Casinos have been evacuated and other locations threatened by Sandy. 

At Port Monmouth, the pier is already under water –and the storm has not made landfall yet. It is still about 450 miles away.

The rain and winds are expected to peek from 1:00 p.m. Monday thru 1:00 a.m. Tuesday.  The worst of the storm to be felt on Monday afternoon, according to reports.   

Governor Christie said it bluntly,  “Don’t go out there and try to be a hero, and act like there’s nothing happening.”

He said this storm is a serious event.

And I believe it.

Mass transit and schools are shut down.  For the first time in 40 years my husband was told by his employer to stay home.

I just heard Point Pleasant Beach’s administrator, Carl Grace, say that mandatory evacuations East of the railroad tracks have been ordered and in effect since 4:00 p.m. today--and a curfew is effect starting tonight from 7pm to 7am and for the next three days.

Grace said, “Don’t come to town unless there’s an emergency.”

I hope this is a one-time event and that we can continue with our lovely fall season and the beautiful changing colors of the leaves.

I don’t want to hear the whistling wind behind my house; I can’t wait till this storm is over.