Believe it or not, Buffalo will get the tail end of this storm. It will only be a tropical storm by then which is ironic as we'll have snow w/in 5-6 weeks!
I'm praying for all of those in the path of Isabel. Stay safe & God Bless - let us know how you make out as soon as it's safe to log on ok?

 

Here's the latest from the NHC. Looks like this time tomorrow.

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
8 AM EDT WED SEP 17 2003
...ISABEL CONTINUES ITS APPROACH TO THE COAST...PREPARATIONS SHOULD
BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION...
A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM CAPE FEAR NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO CHINCOTEAGUE VIRGINIA...INCLUDING CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF SMITH POINT. A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC AND CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF SMITH POINT.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM CAPE FEAR SOUTHWARD TO LITTLE RIVER INLET SOUTH CAROLINA.
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CHINCOTEAGUE TO SANDY HOOK NEW JERSEY...INCLUDING DELAWARE BAY...AND FROM SOUTH OF LITTLE RIVER INLET TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS TODAY.
AT 8 AM EDT...1200Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ISABEL WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 29.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 72.4 WEST OR ABOUT 425 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. ISABEL IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH. THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 110 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 145 MILES FROM THECENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UPTO 260 MILES.
THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS 957 MB...28.26 INCHES. STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 7 TO 11 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS IS EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER CROSSES THE COAST. STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 4 TO 7 FT ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS IS EXPECTED IN SOUTHERN CHESAPEAKE BAY. STORM TOTAL RAINFALLS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS...ARE LIKELY ALONG THE PATH OF THE HURRICANE. LARGE OCEAN SWELLS AND DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS ARE BEING EXPERIENCED ALONG PORTIONS OF THE U.S. EASTERN SEABOARD. THESE CONDITIONS WILL ALSO CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF THE BAHAMAS FOR THE
NEXT FEW DAYS.

 

I finished all my preparations.
I lashed myself to a tree yesterday in ready to ride it out but, so many people rode by to look at me, the police cut me loose because of the traffic problems.

My computer is on the second floor and I will be riding it out downstairs. Probably won't have power anyway.

 

If it is safe for the computer upstairs why aren't you planning to be up there? What happened, the goats win the coin toss?

 

The goats informed me that it will be no time for a "silly truck site".

They want access to the Emergency Management Site so that they can offer guidance. They claim the Governor requested their input.
Also, they hang out in a couple of MENSA chatrooms.

(Actually, I can only logon at home when they are out grazing)

 

Put a Goats Gone Wild tape in the VCR and they won't give you any trouble.

 

How did you know I even had that tape?

 

Yeah, Raoul I heard something on the news about a guy who tied himself to a tree, but I never thought it was you... I heard they were getting ready to shoot you until they learned that you weren't one of them enviromentalists, just someone staying safe the the hurricane. So that was big news. (be sure you tell the police quicker next time, or you might find yourself dead)

 

LMAO, You're so baaaaaaaaaad!

 

The phone biz doesn't pay what it used to. I have been working at a call center at night for extra money and thought that was you who called.

Goats Gone Wild is pretty good, but I liked Baaa to the Bone more.

 

How about Woody Allen's favorite: "Sheepless in Seattle".

 

Running out of daylight, hope everyone is as ready as they can be.

My advice to all who are sitting tight: Take a long hot shower/bath, watch some TV, have a fancy dinner, turn down the AC, and hit the sack. Even if you wind up sleeping with one eye open it's better than nothing. Tomorrow will be a long day.

Good Luck!

 

I wish the best for everyone on a coast or low lying area!

According to the latest possible track Ms. Isabel will come inland and come right up the blue ridge mountains and she has a big fat a$$!! (350 miles wide) by 8am Friday she will be 20 miles west of where I live! Hagerstown MD

I just bought my 123 year old house in January and it has a 200 year old 110 foot high 15 feet round Sycamore tree in the back yard (It's 25 feet from the back door) and I am freaking out that the high winds might cause some problems with her!

Well I guess we can all grin and bear it. It could always be worse!

Again, good luck to all, and be safe.

 

My biggest concern is the trees.
I have about 100 mature oak and pine on my lot and we are 15" over our rainfall avg for the year. The ground is pretty much saturated.

My German Shepard is already acting funny.
He knows something is up.

We have taken roll call on the block.
About 50-50 on neighbors pulling out.
Everyone is heavily wooded here.
Chainsaws at the ready.
Red Cross shelter is 2 miles away.

I will check in every so often while I have juice.

My not be able to say much depending on how the wind blows but I'll try to post this or this

Hehehe, man it's like the big football game against VISITOR.

 

I know what you're wondering.
Will he make it to 5000 posts or will Isabel get him?
In all this excitement I don't know myself.
So you've got to ask yourself a question,
"Do I feel lucky?"
Well, do you? Punk!

Hey, they have ordered an evacuation of low lying areas.
They said if you don't leave to please write your name on your forearm for identification.

I'm sorry but if I lose an arm I don't want it back.
Just give me a hook.
(Four Coronas and counting)