Isabel hits isles, cuts power inland (MSNBC) (1st Fatality)

[WillyT]

<snip>

ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C., Sept. 18 — Hurricane Isabel’s 100-mph winds lashed North Carolina’s Outer Banks islands Thursday as the storm moved toward the mainland, where hundreds of thousands of people have already lost power. A man drowned in Rhode Island when he was swept away by fierce waves.

ALL ALONG THE Eastern seaboard, tens of thousands of people had evacuated, the nation’s capital shut down, and schools canceled classes as projections showed hurricane-force winds lasting all day.

Capable of spawning tornadoes, Isabel is expected to move over Virginia and then Pennsylvania before dissipating in Canada by Saturday.

At least 400,000 customers in Virginia and 100,000 more in North Carolina had lost electricity by midday as the wind toppled trees onto power lines.

<snip>

Link: http://www.msnbc.com/news/961894.asp?0cm=c20

.......

[Skittles]

1. BLESS THEIR HEARTS

I HOPE ALL YOU EASTERN DUERS AND YOUR LOVED ONES STAY SAFE.

[WillyT]

2. Me Too !!!

They closed the Metro in D.C. according to that interactive thingy at the bottom of the article!

:scared:

Stay safe all!!!

[hatrack]

3. Geez, look at the size of the sumbitch!

I feel like the immortal Bill Paxton in "Aliens":

"It's a big fuckin' signal, man!"

[NickDanger]

6. I thought Pat Robertson and God had this worked out so that...

It would avoid the US and go back out to sea?

[damnraddem]

9. this is a big one, like the ones they hoped wouldn't occur ...

while the National Guard members with expertise in dealing with hurricanes are in Iraq. Will Cheney claim an Isabel-Al Qaida link?

[NNN0LHI]

4. Why would someone be out taking a dip during a hurricane? Hmmm n/t

[Chico Man]

8. The weather in RI is deceiving

It looks like a fine day for a dip here. But the storm is probably producing rip currents on the southern shore.

[WillyT]

5. Weather Channel Just Reported Some Good News...

Apparently some dry air is being sucked into the storm from the south, and that, with the speed of 17 mph, is supposedly gonna cut the rains down to 1\3 of what it would have been if had kept plodding along at 8 mph!!!

Here's hoping that they are correct!

.......

[Chico Man]

7. Rhode Island?

We have clear skies and a bit of a light breeze here. Must have been a rip current or something like that. there are warnings currently posted.

[Selwynn]

10. PLEASE STAY SAFE EAST COST!

You are in my thoughts and prayers

[WillyT]

11. First Effects of Storm Arrive in Washington Area (750,000 No Power in VA)

<snip>

More than 750,000 households in Virginia were without power this afternoon, as Hurricane Isabel pummeled the Atlantic coast with hard rain and bracing winds and began traveling northwest toward the Washington region.

Most of the outages -- just over 600,000 -- were along the coast in the Norfolk area, while 140,000 homes lost power in Richmond and neighboring suburbs, according to Dominion Virginia Power.

Forecasters predicted that the brunt of Isabel would strike the Washington area after sunset tonight, and that the storm should depart by late morning on Friday.

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29296-2003Sep18.html

.......

[Blitz]

12. Say Hello to Isabel ... maybe

[WillyT]

13. Well, The Address Says It's Isabel... Way Cool Pic Either Way !!!

Thanks! WOW!!!

[Mari333]

14. Incredible Pic of this storm

oops

[PaDUer]

15. PA declared

state of emergency already!! I'm in Scranton, and the winds are a blowing!! No rain yet, BUT, it's coming!!

[Lugnut]

16. I'm about 40 miles to the South of you.....

Near Hazleton and we've had wind gusts of 50 mph. We had a little bit of rain around 4:30 but that was about it. Stay safe, PADUer.

[Nottingham]

17. Did ya see the Weather Channel guy flying away!

It really showed the force of the wind! :bounce:

[newyawker99]

18. Stay safe everyone!!

:kick: