Updates
As of 11:00 a.m. The National Weather Service (NOAA) issued the latest bulletin. As the Bahamas discontinues their warnings, we on the East Coast, particularly places near the water, are on alert as watches and warnings are extended. A Hurricane Warning has just been extended northward in the Chesapeake to Drum Point.
Defining the Terminology
According to the NOAA website: Hurricane warning
- Hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
- Issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds...conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Tropical storm warning
- Tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Hurricane watch
- Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
- Issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds...conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Preparing to Ride out the Storm
The closest I’ve come to a hurricane so far was when I first arrived in Trinidad and Hurricane Ivan brushed by east of Tobago—of course it hit Grenada, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cuba and Alabama—but we were lucky to only see high winds and some rain. Nothing too dramatic. Peter witnessed Arlene passing right over him as he returned to the US after a year long sailing trip. These experiences make us a little less nervous than most people, but we still plan to be fully prepared.After a close eye on the NOAA and Weather Underground websites, the prevailing prediction for Philadelphia is that we will see more of the Tropical Storm conditions considering that the Hurricane is predicted to be downgraded to a Category 1 by the time it reaches the Delmarva Peninsula and we are a good 50 miles inland.
Peter will take all our sails and canvas off and secure everything outside that might be carried away by the winds. Our emergency readiness is something I maintain on the sailboat at all times: flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, canned foods. We probably have enough to bug-out at a moment’s notice and live for three or four weeks!
We’ll prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Updates in the next post!
In the meantime…Dark & Stormy anyone?
Here’s my version of Rum & Ginger Ale
Squeeze juice of one lime into a 1 Qt pitcher Add Sailor Jerry’s or a good dark Caribbean Rum (Cruzan, Appleton’s, etc. Pyrat is too good for this drink!)Dash or two of Angostura bitters (this makes the drink—don’t even attempt it without!)
Fill pitcher 1/2 way with ginger ale, stir allowing bubbles to mix and infuse the drink. This is essential to a good drink!
Fill pitcher with remaining ginger ale Serve over ice; garnish with either a lime slice or a bing cherry (as shown) if they are in season.
