The calm before the storm is quite calm. If it weren't for the news, you wouldn't believe that a major atmospheric disturbance was in the works. When Mayor Bloomberg announced mandatory evacuation for low lying area of New York and the shutting down of mass transit (the first ever), people started behaving a little erratically. There was a line outside Trader Joe's Wine Shop as if it were Superbowl Sunday Eve. Wine? Supermarkets, drug stores, hardware stores and sporting goods stores (camping and outdoor wear) were mobbed. SIze D batteries disappeared off shop shelves, and a local shop tried to sell me a roll of duct tape for $30!
On the streets, people are walking with set jaws and bags of groceries. Naturally, joggers are putting in their mileage before the worst hits. I thought pigeons, the city's own canary in a coal mine, would have flown the coop. Intrepid New Yorkers that they are, I witnessed them scratching around for grub, one even plopped down in the middle of the street. Yeah, it sat there as if it were nesting over some eggs, in the middle of the street. I wondered if it was bird chutzpah or surrender.
My fear is the wind and flooding. I'm not sure if my buildings windows can withstand the gusts. The atrium is goner for sure. Once the glass goes, and the storm drains back-up (as they do with every rainfall), the koi in the lobby fish pond may find themselves in the mail room or plying the waters of First Avenue. In case our windows are blown in, I'm taking down whatever hangs on the walls: pictures; mirrors; whatever can be turned into a decapitating missile.
8-27-11
-hurricane preparation
No comments:
Post a Comment