Earl Storm Surge Warning

Just a quick update on a report I just saw from the National Hurricane Center:

Earl is predicted to generate a 3-5 foot storm surge, in addition to wind and rain.

That means if you live on or near the coast, including Pamlico Sound's western edges, that you are likely looking at up to 5 more feet of water in your front yard than normal for at least 12 hours or so, maybe as long as 24 hours--and if you're not prepared for that, you have about 12 hours to get ready.

If you're not evacuating, start getting the important stuff off the floor...but if you live at sea level, or close, you might want to pack up and go now.

Governor Perdue is reporting, as I'm watching, that she expects a "strong category 3"--and she suggest the older and sicker, who might need medical attention, should leave.

She also recommends pulling your boats out of the water.

She suggests beach erosion on Hatteras Island will be serious, and she suggests all residents there leave if they haven't already.

She anticipates Highway 12 near the Island will be flooded, and that the Island will be cut off.

The National Hurricane Center is predicting the eye will pass slightly to the east of the Outer Banks, which means the most severe wind, found in the northeast quadrant of these revolving storms, will not pass over North Carolina's land mass.

By all accounts, this is a fairly big deal, so be careful--and don't forget to charge up everything you can, right now, including those .mp3 players and little dvd players that are so great when the power goes out.