Memo to Mayor Gray: What Gives?

DC, IN THE RED, MEANING "HIGH" THREAT LEVEL

Am I the only DC resident who wonders why we haven't heard anything about hurricane prep from DC Mayor Vincent Gray or the City Council? The 11 o'clock news just happened and no voice of reassrance from our city. Through emails I know of the plans of Amtrak, Pepco, the MLK dedication, and others...but nothing from our elected leaders.

The governors of Virginia and Maryland have made decisions, declaring states of emergency, the mayors of New York and Philadelphia have made public statements to their citizens, but I've done a lot of searching and have not been able to find anything about the hurricane from the DC Government.

I know it's more symbolic than anything, because a Mayor cannot control the course of a storm, but part of the symbolic role is to at least talk about expected major events with awareness and forethought. Or am I being silly?

Do they think if we ignore it the storm won't come? I hope that works. I welcome the rain, but not torrents, and amscray on the wind. 

UPDATE: DC Alert that came in at 6:34pm

The National Weather Service has issued a TROPICAL STORM WATCH for the entire District of Columbia metro area.      

The 5PM update from the National Hurricane Center now shows Hurricane Irene coming close enough to the District to potentially cause Tropical Storm force wind gusts of 30-60 mph, with higher gusts closer to the shore. In light of that threat, NWS Baltimore/Washington has chosen to issue a Tropical Storm Watch for our area.       

The details of the forecast track for Irene are subject to change for better or worse over today and tomorrow. Please stay closely tuned in to local media and Alert DC for important updates.   

The outer bands of the storm, which could include significant rainfall and wind gusts, are expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday.      

For a graphic of the current forecast track for the storm, please see http://bit.ly/Irene5PMThurs  

Storm Preparation:    

Make sure you have a battery-operated radio for news updates and possible evacuation routes.   

Prepare or grab your Emergency Go Kit, which should have enough food and water for 3 days.  More info athttp://bit.ly/EmergGoKit  

Fill up your car with fuel.   

Prepare to bring pets inside.   

Stay inside during the storm if you do not evacuate.   

Go to the first or second floor if you're in a multi-story building.   

Do not walk or drive through moving water.   

Prepare for likely power outages.  

Report any downed power lines immediately.

Sent by Kevin Kornreich (DC HSEMA) to e-mail, pagers, cell phones....powered by Cooper Notification RSAN 
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Comments

[Kevin Kornreich]

Carol - I read your blog! :) I found it just over a month ago, and got hooked in part because I am very interested in public affairs, DC life, and news - but mostly because I just really enjoy your writing. A couple weeks ago, I bought your book, in part because I had something of a similar situation in my family. However, i've only gotten to read about 20 pages so far, because as you know, things in D.C. have been a little crazy lately :)

Anyway, it was a little surreal to check in tonight and see that you've been posting things I wrote over the last couple days. LOL I hadn't planned on writing a comment any time soon, but I guess I can't resist now :)

I'm an emergency manager and homeland security operative for D.C., and have a severe weather monitoring & response specialty. I've been here a while - I'm not a political appointee. Anyway, don't worry too much - we've definitely been going about 120 mph this week getting ready for the hurricane (and responding to the er, earthquake ?!? *scratching head* LOL). We have spent the week getting a large, coordinated response together.

You are more than welcome to ask any questions or concerns about the storm if you have them, and I'll try to check back if things are not too hectic here. My friends always hit me up for info on weather events or emergencies in D.C., and I'm more than glad to be of assistance.

It's interesting the gates were put up so early in Georgetown. I didn't send out one of my "get the gates up" messages for this event, because I don't honestly see Georgetown being threatened by river flooding. I guess the Folks Who Control The Wall are trying to overcompensate a bit for their near-legendary error.

Take care, Kevin

[Steve D.]

Emergency Go Kit link is very much worth bookmarking. This storm is definitely going to hit. Cat 2 or 3 is major for this area for sure. Thanks for all the info Carol.

Anyone reading this blog should take heed.

This "Lady" is huge! The hurricane that is ;)

Stay safe.

~Steve~

[StevenA54]

Good point. Have not heard one word from the Mayor. Maybe they are taking advice from the ostrich.

~Steve~