Mets Day 199 - riders on the storm

All weekend we've been watching as Hurricane Sandy approaches, and is forecast to merge with a low pressure system that my brother tells me dumped up to three feet of snow at the Utah ski resorts.  Currently wind is gusting at over 50 mph outside my hotel in Norfolk.  This morning Jennifer and I were watching the local news and were surprised to see flooding with our hotel in the background.  We looked out the window and saw the flooding about a block away.  I told Jennifer that it was time for her to head home, and fortunately she got home safely. 

This evening the judge's courtroom deputy called me to say that our trial has been cancelled for tomorrow, at least.  Our team is hunkered down at our hotel, which we are told has emergency generators in case power is lost.  I spoke with the family at home, and they say everything is battened down.  Fairfax County already has announced that school is cancelled for Monday and Tuesday.  Here's the email I sent to them last night:

"You may have heard that a hurricane is coming towards us in the next few days, and it will merge with a cold front and bring heavy rains and winds to the area on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,  With all of the leaves on the trees, we are likely to have a lot of limbs and trees down throughout the area, and will lose power for several days, maybe a week or more. School likely will be cancelled for several days, too.  Here are some things to make sure you are properly prepared.  Please do them this weekend, and no later than Sunday night:

1.       Make sure the Jeep and Explorer are full of gas.

2.       Make sure the gas cans are full, too.

3.       Fill the large round orange drink cooler with water and put it on the kitchen counter

4.       Fill the bathtubs with water, so you can scoop water from there with a bucket and dump it in the toilet.  Get the buckets from the garage.

5.       Make sure we have enough batteries.  If not, buy some.  Make sure the flashlights work.

6.       Charge your cell phones.  Have your car chargers handy.  Once the power is down, the cell networks will be affected.  Texts are easier to get through than phone calls.  You can charge your computers, too, but the internet will be down. 

7.       Move the pool furniture into the gazebo

8.       Bring up the black grill and put it under the deck screen porch; we may use it to cook.  Put all other deck furniture under the screen porch, too. 

9.       Start eating leftovers and other perishable items in the fridge and freezer.  Once the power is out, limit the time you open the fridge and freezer.  Food will start to spoil within 48 hours. 

1.   Go to the ATM and have some cash available.

1.   Have the Glock and .22 rifle ready to defend against looters and zombies.  I expect some really scary people walking around Wednesday night, banging on doors and demanding food."