# Hurricane Sandy: Potential Catastrophic NorEaster Brewing in the Carribean \[edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 24, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766 "2012-10-24T22:11:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/201 "2012-10-29T17:08:58Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > I live south of the storm’s major impact, but one trick I’ve learned in hurricane country: If you have a washing machine, run a bleach load through, wipe it down, and rinse again. Then fill with water, add a couple of drops of bleach and close the lid\*. Voila, emergency water. (Yes, my “spare” refrigerator always has a few extra gallons of water, and the bathtubs get scrubbed and filled in the event of any weather emergency but the washer trick is good, since it’s quick, easy, and the lid helps keep the water clean. I personally haven’t drunk washing machine water yet, but the dogs have, and it was fine. If I’d had to drink it, I would have, but I probably would have boiled it before giving it to anyone with a weak or immature immune system.) > > \*This is assuming you have a top-loader. I don’t know if it works with those new-fangled front loaders. One of you whippersnappers will have to let me know! 🙂 It took me until just before the last asterisk to realise you were talking about a top loader! ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/202 "2012-10-29T17:09:55Z")
Re: drinking water… I’ve always just filled up big pots and left them covered on the counter. However, I’ve also never needed to use them. Unless the county issues a “boil your water” advisory, there’s not really any need to avoid tap water. Of course, you can’t know in advance whether an advisory will be issued, so it’s best to be safe about it and get some water ready. If you’ve got a smart phone, see if you can follow your county on Twitter or sign up for emergency alerts to see if you need to boil water. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/203 "2012-10-29T17:11:41Z")
WTOP is reporting that half of the Ocean City fishing pier is gone and the southern end of the boardwalk is covered by debris. We’re a few miles south of DC so won’t be getting much of anything for a few more hours. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/204 "2012-10-29T17:14:59Z")
I suspect we won’t be pushed out anywhere until the worse is over and the clean up starts. But who knows. Seeing reports of the shore being totally fucked. Several feet of water on LBI. Downtown Atlantic City flooded. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/205 "2012-10-29T17:17:11Z")
Latest analysis I saw shows landfall around Little Egg Harbor. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/206 "2012-10-29T17:18:58Z")
Another thing that makes great water storage containers. Cat litter buckets and they nest well so you can store a bunch of them in a relatively small space (keep the lids too). Doesn’t do any good right now but in prep for you next storm save up a bunch of them or ask someone who has a kitty to do so for you. And all that water isn’t just for drinking. Its really nice when you are out of power and water to be able to at least take a sponge bath with a gallon or so and perhaps a nice head dunking/hair washing rather than not having any significant amounts of water to do so. Before you folks lose power, you need to do some quick internet searching to see how much clorox is need to make possibly unsafe water drinkable. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/207 "2012-10-29T17:19:30Z")
Any footage of reporters clinging to lamp posts in high winds and rain yet? ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/208 "2012-10-29T17:20:40Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I have a friend in CT whose baby was due yesterday. I would not want to be her right now. Please tell me they’re naming the kid Sandy. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/209 "2012-10-29T17:24:15Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Any footage of reporters clinging to lamp posts in high winds and rain yet? [Here’s one getting stuck in some wet sand.](http://gawker.com/5955832/second-generation-fox-reporter-peter-doocy-suffers-sad-sandy+related-wipeout) ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/210 "2012-10-29T17:28:34Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Before you folks lose power, you need to do some quick internet searching to see how much clorox is need to make possibly unsafe water drinkable. [8 drops to a gallon](http://water.epa.gov/drink/emerprep/emergencydisinfection.cfm). ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/211 "2012-10-29T17:44:34Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Any footage of reporters clinging to lamp posts in high winds and rain yet? Philly’s CBS 3 affiliate ran Gov Chris Christie latest news conference at noon; basically saying if your on a barrier island & if you can still get out, do so because no one will come to rescue you. Flooding has already been reported at 5’ & is expected to get _much_ worse with the next few rounds of high tides. After the conf ends, they cut to local reports _on the barrier islands_. One is standing outside, holding a piece of tin that flew off of something, stating that you shouldn’t be outside because this could hit & cut you but she’s not following her own advice. :smack: How do this reporter & cameraman expect to get off of island? Even if they drove on & plan to ride out the storm, they have to assume their vehicle would get flooded & not be driveable to get them home. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/212 "2012-10-29T17:50:10Z")
This little Louisiana girl is thinking of all of you in the storm’s path. I hope it turns out to just be an inconvenience and not an ongoing recovery. Don’t forget you can drain your hot water heater for extra water in a pinch. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/213 "2012-10-29T17:55:53Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Any footage of reporters clinging to lamp posts in high winds and rain yet? It always amazes me that these morons don’t get killed reporting in dangerous conditions like that. Part of me wonders if they do, and NBC just kinda forgets to mention that the Coast Guard has called off the search for its former meteorologist, who was last seen standing on the beach with 80 mph winds blowing around her and a 5-foot storm surge washing over her. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/214 "2012-10-29T17:57:30Z")
George Takei just posted a photo on his Facebook page from Margate, NJ (near Atlantic City), where my grandparents used to live - about 3’ deep in water now. I am so glad my grandmother isn’t living there anymore. Their house was a 5-minute walk from the beach - if there’s even a beach left at this point. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/215 "2012-10-29T18:11:50Z")
They closed my street where it meets the harbor. The wind is howling and it’s not supposed to “hit” til tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/216 "2012-10-29T18:36:03Z")
Jesus Christ. I just found out my dad’s cousin and her husband stayed in Beach Haven. I thought they’d have gone to their winter place down in Florida by now, but no. Ah shit. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/217 "2012-10-29T18:36:18Z")
Gusts and rain are really starting to pick up now. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/218 "2012-10-29T18:47:17Z")
It’s starting here. The wind knocked the gutter off the shed, but since the gutter wasn’t anchored very well and since the shed is coming down soon, it’s not a big deal. Otherwise, we’re OK. ---
**Author:** ![Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schrodinger_s_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/219 "2012-10-29T18:48:50Z")
Friend in Upper Merion County just reported flickering lights. Hope all my friends in Jersey are safe, especially the one in Toms River. How’s New Brunswick holding up? ---
**Author:** ![Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schrodinger_s_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766/220 "2012-10-29T18:55:42Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Jesus Christ. I just found out my dad’s cousin and her husband stayed in Beach Haven. I thought they’d have gone to their winter place down in Florida by now, but no. > > Ah shit. Reports are that power is still on out there, at least. Hope they make it through okay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-potential-catastrophic-noreaster-brewing-in-the-carribean-edited-title/638766.md?page=12)