Preparing for the storm

Michael,

Your post is spot-on.

This storm is expected to stall and dump a hugh amount of rain.  Thus, folks who have trains in basements that might be subject to flooding need to be aware of all the water.  If you have a sump pump now is the time to make sure that it functions well.  Also, remember that pumps don't function without electricity, so make arrangements to keep your running.

Fortunately, I live on a hill and any water in the basement would run into the garage and down the driveway.    Having a wooden lot, through, with lots of mature trees around the house, however, gives me other concerns!

Y'all be safe.  Since I'll be stuck in the house, I'm hoping to finally get the run the trains for a while!

Jim

Good thinking Michael. We talked last evening about running the generator for a bit today. In Northern New England, they are predicting heavy rain and 50-60 mile per hour winds for us. Our trains are safe on a second level, so water should not be a problem for them.

My generator is ready to go - of course it's only use is to run the trains. 

Get trains off floor.  Move cardboard boxes to higher ground.  If trains are displayed on walls in basement and water could come in through the window near the trains, consider moving them especially if the window is above the trains.

Yup.  If we get that 10 inches of rain I'll definitly get water in the basement.

My major nightmare scenario is the sewer backing up.  Hasn't happened but it's been close.

Moving everything off the floor later today.

Ok going to get the generator ready. 

With stormagedden coming, Monday may be a good day to run and do some scenery work on my layout that is if the electricity stays on. I live in a second story condo but my trains are in my garage which has never flooded but you can't say never so I'm prepared none the less.

Be safe guys and gals.

I have my generator gassed up and ready.  My battery powered backup is getting it's new battery charged as I type.  I also have a standby 3rd pump that I drop in the hole if we're getting something like this, just to add capacity to the pumping.

If that doesn't do it, the basement will probably be wet!

For those that have a basement with a sum pump:  consider getting a car battery (a brand new one with high CCAs - cold cranking amps) and an inverter.  The inverter needs to have enough watts to run the motor on your sump pump.  So if the electric goes and the sump fills up, how will it empty? 

I have a new car battery for about $75 and an inverter that I got for $100.  It sits next to the sump.  I never have had enough rain for the basement foundation to get that soaked AND have the power off at the same time, but I saw what happened to a relative last year when their foundation seem to be the collection point for the neghborhood. 

An in-the-engine compartment car battery is not sufficiently charged to run an inverter.  Found that out first hand. 

The battery should sit next to the inverter (because power is degraded a little as the extension cord gets longer).  If power goes, you will have to sit next to inverter and turn it on/off to run sump motor.  It worked last year for my sister. 

Her neghbor across the street gave up.  They had 2 feet of water, or well over 3000 gallons. 

So, if you have a large investment of trains, pinball machines, arcade games, slot machines or a beer can collection in the basement, go out now and get an inverter and fresh/new car battery.'

Get a trickler too to charge it up after you use it.  I just leave mine on trickler all the time.

Just hope no one looses any trains to water.....  Be safe!  :-)

Excellent post!  Good thinking, Michael!

Those of you with RV's with on-board generators should check those out, fill the propane tank(s).  It'll keep a sump pump going!  And a freezer, alternately. 

And keep the beer cold and your trains running! 

Hey, there ARE priorities, after all!!

Be safe.

KD

During last years snowstorm around Halloween, lost power for a few days here.

What saved my basement from flooding was a cheap $25 12 Volt marine bilge pump.

Just ran a long extension cord with aligator clips to car battery. Also picked up a

400 watt power inverter for the car which could be used to power the regular 120V sump pump.

Same here, as I am in Norfolk VA.

Lost power for a week last year during Irene and some folks in the sub division next to mine had homes and cars crushed by huge fallen trees. A few folks ended up in the hospital.

Pump checked. Swail cleaned. Generator checked. Boxes raised in cellar just in case. 

Best part is I'm cleaning up a bit. Super best part is I'm seeing old Lionel post war stuff I had packed away too long. It's like Christmas. I love those old treasures that I'm uncovering. The memories coming to me are quite vivid. Almost ever piece as a memory of people gone and people grown.

What is it about trains and train accessories that make them hold onto every smile and moment they are in use? Pretty cool. 

Even moved my rebuilt Fender amp...of course I had to wail on it a bit. I love my cellar....and it's really an unfinished piece of crap in others eyes...to me it's King Tuts Pyramid full of treasures. 

Ideally, a DEEP CYCLE battery is better than a regular car battery, if you have a choice.

Ed

And be careful how you go about your preparations!

I'm glad CarGuy brought this up because I didn't think of it.  During heavy rains, even though I live on top of a hill, I do get a puddle here in my "Man Cave."  I'm going out to install some flashing on a small foundation crack and moving some boxes off the floor.  Even in Central MA we're supposed to get a lot of rain.  Hoping everyone does well.  Thanks!

I have 2 generators ready to go, pump & spare pump OK and basement is OK. Some sand bags in place, to divert water from going down my basement steps.

Vehicles to higher ground! read below.

First real storm to happen since I retired (FD). Worst one that I had to deal with was Isabel, almost no rain but water surge from Chesapeake Bay 10'+, Some people did not want to leave. Had to move our fire engine 3 times because of rising water, watched vehicles on dry roads disappear from sight from water in under 4 hours time. When we left that area all I could see was houses sticking out of just water. Ended the night fighting a fire in a apartment building, I'm tall 6'4" and had to enter chest high water to get inside the building. 

I live on higher ground in our area, our area is a peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay. I also live on the only road that goes into most of the area. Watched a steady stream of vehicles being towed or on rollbacks FOR OVER 3 months. It tough most people a lesson now the food store parking lot across the street fills up and also that large church parking lot behind me fills up quickly.

And as already mentioned move your trains to higher ground before its too late. Good luck to all.

A 12 volt or marine(boat) pump will work hooked up to a car or marine battery or other 12 volt DC source. If a marine battery a group 27 works well as it has more CCA's, or you can get the extra large marine battery that takes two strong men to move it, don't know the CCA rating.

Hope you don't get too flooded or snowed in up north!

If you don't have a pump, you better move your trains and train boxes off the floor right now! Not much time to play around with.

FYI, all I got was some rain and wind here in West Palm Beach FL, and still have some wind gusts up to 35 or 40 mph this afternoon.

Also I have been thru the flood of 1972 in the northeast and thru hurricane Andrew.

My car got flooded by tropical storm Isaac, as the rain just seemed like it would not stop! Three and a half days of rain.

Lee F.

You guys stay safe. We'll be thinking about you. Aloha Don

Sounds like you guys are doing some heavy-duty (and sensible) preparation. Having gone through a hurricane once in Belize City that flooded the entire town, I am sympathetic and I don't want to do it again. I'll be thinking of you here in Tucson. The weather forecast: Sunny, moderate wind, with a high of 83. 

I really should get a generator one of these days.

Popssr....thanks.  Got a hold of Cabela's in Hamburg, PA...long line of people there early this AM...all gone...getting another large shipment in tomorrow night and ready for distribution early Monday AM...about the same time we should be getting slammed!!  Hope to get one then.  Jim

Every gas station I pass is crowded with cars filling up and gas cans being filled. Everyone in my area is taking this very seriously. Northeast PA. Good luck to all staying dry. 

Remember that in addition to flooding and power outage issues, there will be downed wires in the streets and perhaps on your property. Always assume that the wire that is down on the ground is "ALIVE and ENERGIZED". DO NOT TOUCH IT with anything under any circumstances. Report downed wires to the Utility co or police or Fire department.

Stay Safe folks.

will be driving all night in the storm. the post office does not close the processing of the mail centers.

Boy, driving around in that doesn't appeal to me at all!  OTOH, I live in a pretty dense woods with a lot of 70-80 foot trees all around the house, so maybe I'd be better off driving than staying here.

Ready for Sandy here in Central Jersey!

The house is all buttoned up.

The generator is topped off and tested. 

Got plenty of water and food. 

All vehicles are gassed up.

Last time with Irene, we lost power for about 14hr. Everyone stay safe! 

I said the same thing a few times.  After Irene I finally did it and wouldn't you know not soon afterward we had the Halloween snow storm and lost power for a day.  That generator I FINALLY ordered saved my bacon (and my basement).....and you know what's in the basement!

Here on the coast in North Carolina we just recorded winds in access of 5O MPH and the storm is still in Georgia. This storm is huge, good luck to you guys in the north east.

I hope we don't bust 50 mph here in Norfolk/Newport News/Williamsburg.

No power outages! I have a layout to work on!

I'm about as ready as I can be. Secured the place in O.C. and have battened down the hatches here. Just hoping the hydraulic cement and UGL paint I put up in the basement last year keeps a repeat event of my last flood from happening. Was on the roof today making sure the gutters were clear, good thing I checked, 2 of them were clogged with leaves. Pulled the cars around back in the open so I don't have to worry about trees or branches falling on them.  Stay safe everyone.

Jerry

May the good Lord keep all of you and your familes safe.

BULLETIN
HURRICANE SANDY ADVISORY NUMBER  23
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL182012
1100 PM EDT SAT OCT 27 2012

...SANDY CONTINUING NORTHEASTWARD PARALLEL TO THE COAST OF THE
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES...
...STRONG WINDS AND SIGNIFICANT STORM SURGE ARE EXPECTED IN THE
MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...


SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...30.9N 74.3W
ABOUT 360 MI...580 KM ESE OF CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 305 MI...490 KM SSE OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 40 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...960 MB...28.35 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR THE SOUTH
CAROLINA COAST.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA TO DUCK NORTH CAROLINA
* PAMLICO AND ALBEMARLE SOUNDS
* BERMUDA

IN ADDITION...HIGH WIND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA.  HIGH WIND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...ALONG WITH
OTHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF THE
MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. SEE STATEMENTS FROM
LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICES.

INTERESTS THROUGHOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND NEW ENGLAND SHOULD
MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF SANDY.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED
STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE
MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE SANDY WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 74.3 WEST. SANDY IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL
MOTION IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY.  A TURN TOWARD THE
NORTH IS FORECAST ON SUNDAY NIGHT...FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE
NORTH-NORTHWEST ON MONDAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK THE CENTER OF
SANDY WILL MOVE PARALLEL TO THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF THE UNITED
STATES THROUGH THE WEEKEND...AND APPROACH THE COAST OF THE
MID-ATLANTIC STATES MONDAY NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 75 MPH...120 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  WHILE LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS...SANDY IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A LARGE AND POWERFUL
CYCLONE.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 105 MILES...165 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 520
MILES...835 KM.  NOAA BUOY 41036...LOCATED IN ONSLOW BAY NEAR THE
NORTH CAROLINA COAST...RECENTLY REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF
45 MPH...73 KM/H...AND A WIND GUST OF 60 MPH...97 KM/H.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE BASED ON NOAA AND AIR FORCE RESERVE
HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT REPORTS IS 960 MB...28.35 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE SPREADING ACROSS THE COAST OF
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING AREA...AND THESE
SHOULD CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY.  GALE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO
ARRIVE ALONG PORTIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST BY SUNDAY AND REACH
LONG ISLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BY MONDAY MORNING. WINDS TO
NEAR HURRICANE FORCE COULD REACH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES...
INCLUDING LONG ISLAND...BY LATE MONDAY.

STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE AND THE
TIDE WILL CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY
RISING WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING DEPTHS ABOVE
GROUND IF THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...

NC SOUTH OF SURF CITY...1 TO 3 FT
NC NORTH OF SURF CITY INCLUDING PAMLICO/ALBERMARLE SNDS...3 TO 5 FT
SE VA AND DELMARVA INCLUDING LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY...2 TO 4 FT
UPPER AND MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE BAY...1 TO 2 FT
OCEAN CITY MD TO THE CT/RI BORDER...4 TO 8 FT
LONG ISLAND SOUND...RARITAN BAY...AND DELAWARE BAY...4 TO 8 FT

SURGE-RELATED FLOODING DEPENDS ON THE RELATIVE TIMING OF THE SURGE
AND THE TIDAL CYCLE...AND CAN VARY GREATLY OVER SHORT DISTANCES.
GIVEN THE LARGE WIND FIELD ASSOCIATED WITH SANDY...ELEVATED WATER
LEVELS COULD SPAN MULTIPLE TIDE CYCLES RESULTING IN REPEATED AND
EXTENDED PERIODS OF COASTAL AND BAYSIDE FLOODING.  IN ADDITION...
ELEVATED WATERS COULD OCCUR FAR REMOVED FROM THE CENTER OF SANDY.
FURTHERMORE...THESE CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
SANDY IS A TROPICAL OR POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE.  FOR INFORMATION
SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE SEE PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.

RAINFALL...RAINFALL TOTALS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED OVER FAR
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM TOTALS OF 8 INCHES
POSSIBLE. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED OVER
PORTIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES...INCLUDING THE DELMARVA
PENINSULA...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 12 INCHES POSSIBLE.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF
5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF SOUTHERN NEW YORK INTO NEW
ENGLAND.

SURF...DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE FROM FLORIDA THROUGH
THE MID-ATLANTIC FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND SPREAD INTO THE
NORTHEASTERN STATES ON SUNDAY.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...200 AM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...500 AM EDT.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/r...3+shtml/280245.shtml

*puts on helmet*  ready.

Dover Air Force Base, DE Radar

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?product=NCR&rid=dox&loop=yes

Stay Safe, 

Regards, 

Swafford

We're expecting tropical storm winds and 4-5" of rain, which is not thrilling but better than it could be.

Wal-Mart, K-Mart and the big auto parts stores have car starters for about $100. I bought one a couple of years ago and we've gotten a huge amount of use out of it. It's a large deep cycle battery with several AC and a couple of DC plugs, and it charges up in a couple of hours. During the derecho we kept the modem and phone going, kept the cell phone charged and ran a laptop from it. When it ran low we took it up to my sister's and charged it (they got power back the next day, so we went up to cool off.)

I have yet to find a hand-crank charger that will run the O gauge,. but the guys have run the HO layout with a 9V battery. Oh, and the Coleman hand-crank lanterns don't give a huge amount of light, but they will light the bathroom or let you maneuver around the house. We are also making sure our solar lights are out in as much sun as we have. If ou have a large fluorescent light, it'll charge up small solar lights, and dollar stores still have plenty of them around here.

Stay safe, everybody. God bless us, every one.

We live about 50 miles NW of Philly.  We look like we're going to take the brunt of the path as this thing heads inland.  We lost alot of trees during last years Oct 29 snowstorm.  Looks like we may lose more to Sandy.  Flooding's not a concern, we live on a mountain.

The generators ready.  Our house has a functional French Drain that drains into our pond and so far it has kept any water from coming into the basement. The sump pump has never been used.

Our sons are linemen and live close.  They have Katrina and many other storms under their belts.  Their Storm bags are packed.  However, we expect the Daughters-in-law and four Grandkids.  Heat by woodstove and run trains for the Kids by generator.

This one's going to be tough.

Here in the upper reaches of Baltimore city, everything is off theground in the basement and we just cleaned out about 2 truck loads of stuff 2 weeks ago in preparationoff beginning our layout.  Had a new sump pump and french drain repair / install done a year ago.  I am planning on the battery backup next month before the room remodeling begins.  In our worst storms previous to the French drain / sump pump we would get about 180 to 200 gallons in the basement.  Have not seen a drop since the work was done.   So this is going to be a big test for us.  No trains down there yet.  Goodluck to all of us and hope we don't need the ark

Good luck to everyone!   Here in Harleysville it's raining pretty hard.  Have water, food and generator ready to go if needed.   Hopefully everyone will make it through just fine!

--Greg