Just wanted to give y’all a quick update on how Hurricane Irene affected my area here in the lovely outskirts of Allentown, Pennsylvania. The governor is asking the President to declare several counties, including Lehigh County where I live, Federal Disaster areas, which means FEMA can move in to help us out. Apparently, there is a lot of flooding, downed trees, and power lines with high winds expected to continue until this evening as the back end of Irene moves out of our area.
From what I can tell from inside my cozy apartment, there is no flooding in my immediate vicinity, just a few tree parts here and there in the backyard, and my vehicle appears to be OK (despite some neighbors ignoring the apartment mandate to remove items from their porches).
Still, BFF Sarah and I have a cooler full of ice (and drinks. You don’t want to see me go through a power outage without Diet Coke) and a tub full of water in case our electricity does go out, which is still a possibility. I mean, how will we watch “Dr Quinn” if that happens? My mom and my friend, Shari, both lost power, but it has been restored.
No one is SUPPOSED to be out on the roadways, but apparently people are driving around all over the place. I’m not going to risk my life or my vehicle just because I’m stir-crazy and curious. Why put the rescue crews in additional danger because I’m an idiot?
So, we didn’t even need to use the flashlights I bought (see “Friday Faves: Hurricane Irene’s A’Coming Edition“). Well, except for the shadow puppet show I performed on the ceiling last night, which was met from a low growl from Cassie the Peekapoo, who thought the shadow puppets were an imminent threat.
Update 8.2811, 7 PM-ish: Hurricane Irene has now passed into New England. It’s a bit blustery out, but the sun is shining and our garden is ruined (see photo essay tomorrow.) Please continue to pray for people in the area affected by storm damage and flooding (rivers are expected to crest tomorrow afternoon.)
Let me know how you’re faring, share any prayer requests, or tell me what you’re up to on this Sunday afternoon while I am trapped in my apartment.
She is Beloved 
Glad you’re doing all right. We were fortunate and live right across the street from a major shopping center so our electricity was only out for about 24 hours. Our family has been told they may have to wait another 4 days for theirs. But other than that, Baltimore has fared pretty well.