Virginia and the Carolinas people

MairePoppy

What's up? How are you preparing for the Joaquin? 

lyndausvi

The track has it staying off shore.  

Whatever you do NOT let your guard down.   Tropical storm winds along with a shit ton of soaking rain still can do a lot of damage.  

particuliersylphe

VA-er here. Grocery shopping for water and all the usual storm things and I moved my car up the hill since I live on the James River. There are just flood warnings for now, that's all I'm really worrying about. I've only been here 6 months but apparently the James River really likes to flood out lower Richmond, which is where I am... boooo.

lnixon8

I live in Maryland but we're still in state of emergency. One of my great friends is getting married tomorrow. Everything is indoors but it's downtown Baltimore and her reception and ceremony are a few blocks away from each other. I'm hoping uber doesn't go crazy withe surcharges!

Then throwing a shower for another friend the next day. I really hope we don't lose power, too much going on this weekend.

ohmrs2014

Stay safe down there everyone!  Those winds, even if a tropical storm, as I'm sure us east coasters already know, are no joke!

spockforprez

Hampton Roads area. We already have plans to travel inland to Richmond for my cousin's e-party and dad's birthday. That would be on Saturday evening so we're not sure how much the rain/storm will impact those plans. It may be more of an issue getting back than getting there. 

As far as our house... we've bought groceries but we have a whole house generator so we're not doing any major prep for that or anything. We also have protective awnings over all windows, and no trees in our yard (though our neighbors have a few), so I'm hoping if we do get hurricane wind, we'll be okay.

My dad, brother, and uncle are official weather responders - not sure of the exact term, but they are called on for 24-hr snow duty, and in cases like this as well. Dad said they could come down with plywood and such to get us prepped if things get really bad lol.

My main issue is the fear-mongering... as far as I can tell, there are a lot of models saying different things and it's hard to predict hurricanes anyway. I'm tired of seeing local news personalities posting ALL CAPS SRS WEATHER PREDICTIONS that go viral. I did repost a couple hilarious Joaquin Phoenix hurricane memes, though.

emmaaa

I'm in central NC and work in the Sandhills. Governor has declared State of Emergency and we are in flash flood warnings in effect through Sunday.

It isn't bad here right now. It's raining but not too hard. I think it is supposed to start raining harder throughout the day though.

Since the hurricane has moved off track into the ocean, I hope he'll stay there. 

We've stocked up on bottles of water, canned foods, propane for our grill, ice, batteries, and kerosene for our lamps.

ETA: I think our major concern now is trees falling because the ground is so wet from 10 days of rain here.

Heffalump

I'm in NC (Charlotte area here).  We canceled our weekend plans, DD's riding lesson is canceled, we're pretty much planning to stay in all weekend.  It's my mom's birthday tomorrow and we were planning to get together, but she lives closer to the mountains and they're forecasting 8-12" of rain for her.  So we had to postpone.

It was sort of drizzly on my way in, but that's it--I'm not even sure it's rain bands from Joaquin yet, it may be from that other front that came in from the west. 

Ditto @emmaaa on the falling trees.  We were just saying that we're not too worried about the wind at this point since it's tracking to the east, so trees would be the only thing that could threaten our power.  After months of drought, it's been very soggy here this past week.

ThxSugar

I am suppose to drive to Charleston, SC tonight. My FSIL says it will be fine, just stay out of downtown. I am originally from the midwest so I am little nervous and don't know what to expect. My FMIL lives right on the marsh. Am I crazy? Should I stay home?

MairePoppy

Hoping the storm heads out to sea. It's interesting to see how people prepare.

charlotte989875

I'm in Western NC in the mountains. We have flash flood warnings from this morning through Sunday night. Had some standing water on back roads this morning on the way to work, but nothing too bad. As PPs said the biggest concerns out here has been the rain, saturated ground and mudslides, and flash flooding in the rivers.

I'm preparing by working from home with my dog.

AddieCake

Va Bch here. I had to go get groceries last night because I am nearly out at home and had been planning to go this weekend. Then this shit hits, and I realized I better go ASAP. Holy shit, what a nightmare! Today I had to drive through some high water and they shut down one if the roads near my school shortly after. I plan to not leave the house again until Monday.

spockforprez

Several folks at work had flooded cars, especially those who live in apartment complexes. They also closed down a couple school systems in the Hampton Roads area. Work sent us an email saying they are monitoring the conditions, but I'm not sure if they plan to close us at any point. (That would be amazing!)

Rain, rain, rain here, but we're okay. We'll see how we go tomorrow.

Current models predict Joaquin to move off into the ocean somewhere. It's just as well... I am ready for SUN!!!! And would like to enjoy fall weather and temps without the rain!

spockforprez

The sun came out in Hampton Roads this afternoon. IT. WAS. GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we drove to Richmond and about 10 miles past Williamsburg it started raining. Still raining here, no sign of sun. Hopefully tomorrow. It's my dad's birthday and he, my brothers, and my FH are gonna shoot for awhile. 

Bye, bye Joaquin. We hardly knew ye.

doclago

I am just outside of Charleston,SC. We have had more than 16 inches of rain and it is still pouring!! Downtown and many other places are completely closed. Roads are flooded or destroyed all throughout the area. We are in a state of emergency. People have been driven from their homes, and , importantly for this site, most of the wedding venues have been closed. 

IT has been recommended we all stay home. Schools and government facilities were closed on Friday and I am anticipating Monday as well. 

artbyallie

NC Foothills/Piedmont here. We're under a wind advisory til Monday because it's been raining since last weekend and the trees could get knocked down. And we were formerly in a drought situation, so it's just the opposite problem now.

MairePoppy

The news is now reporting on the flooding and showing pics of North and South Carolina. What a mess! I hope all of you are safe in your homes. 

charlotte989875

artbyallie said:

NC Foothills/Piedmont here. We're under a wind advisory til Monday because it's been raining since last weekend and the trees could get knocked down. And we were formerly in a drought situation, so it's just the opposite problem now.

I'm over in Asheville and it's about the same up here. We've had a few road closings due to flooding and a bunch of downed tress. The wind has been pretty strong all day, but nothing like I'm seeing out of Charleston. Friends of mine in Columbia say they have a boil water order now and a 6pm curfew.

spockforprez

So sorry to hear about the flooding in the Carolinas. There is a bit of flooding on the southside of Hampton Roads, especially Norfolk, but nothing like down there. Hope all you knotties are okay.

kvruns

my brother is in Myrtle Beach and is OK although he said lots of roads nearby are closed and some areas just north are bad but somehow where he is isn't as bad as others

emmaaa

The rivers and creeks are really high near me. They found an abandoned kayak in the Haw River not far from my house last night but no body with it. I'm really hoping the person got out safely but who knows.

Luckily we haven't any bad flooding near me but the coast is getting hit more heavily.

Charleston and SC got the flooding much worse than we have so the Governor has sent help to them.

artbyallie

We are okay now. Had a power flicker at work and there was apparently a big tree down somewhere near where I live, but I haven't seen any flooding and the weather was downright pretty today. Praying for the folks in Charleston, Columbia, et al.