Hurricane Irene

At first, Irene was on a path that was expected to make landfall right in Savannah/Hilton Head---as stronger hurricane.  This rarely happens, and the media keeps making all this hype that it's "our turn, it's just a matter of time."  My personal thoughts, let's keep the thoughts positive, like with any situation--we aren't doomed---nobody is.  But of course if it happens, it's good to be prepared.  A cold front from the north came down, and that is how she ended up being pushed back eastward, to potentially impact the rest of the eastern seaboard.  It looks like she's been downgraded to a Category 1 (90mph winds, still very very dangerous), as she's made land fall on the Outer Banks of NC (a very vulnerable area, compared to where we are located, because of the way it "sticks out more," we kind of "stick in." If you look at a map, we are actually straight down from Cleveland!  Anyway, as far as preparing, after we realized Irene would pass by us---I took down my windchimes and dragonfly spinner and folded down my lawn chairs (but left all of it outside).  Worst-case scenario for us, 35 mph winds and torrential tropical downpours---we wound up with incredibly beautiful 15-20 mph winds, and in my area in particular (every area here was different, Hilton Head, 5 miles away got stronger winds and a ton of rain)...two 20 minute very heavy down pours, and a little hail---aside from that beautiful strong breezes and sunshine much of the day!  Also, as J was driving home from work, over one of the large bridges crossing the Broad River---(intraAtlantic water way)----he noticed the water levels were quite high---over the piers--I also think it was high tide.  I'm learning hurricanes and tropical storms, occurring during high tide is a much more dangerous situation than in low tides--all new stuff--(we have significant tides here--not all parts of the coast do).  I have friends who made it down to the coast to watch the huge waves, we never got there:(  But, as one of my friends pointed out, if you live here long enough, there will be plenty of opportunities:O  So, for your viewing pleasure, this photo was shot yesterday afternoon as seen down Highway 278, the only road that goes onto Hilton Head Island--this is what the skies of an extreme outerband of a major hurricane looks like--couldn't imagine being caught in the middle of it!  Sorry no wave shots, but since it's not too far north of us, and we are headed to the coast, there's still a chance the waves are big:)  

That said, I heard, though Irene is HUGE, she is losing some intensity...continued prayers for those north of us.

p.s. as a "perk" for being on the southend of a major hurricane, we still have gorgeous breezes and the humidity level is very very low--it's a gorgeous day!