[Vision2020] Ophelia

[Richard Schmidt]

It has just started to rain (Tuesday 10:00 EDT) here in Greenville, NC. They are talking about 5" to 8" of rain over the next couple of days and most everyone would welcome some rain as it is extremely dry and there have been a lot of small fires because of people being careless in burning trash or whatever. The city of Greenville has information on how to be prepared for a Hurricane on their website at http://www.greenvillenc.gov/. 

It is interesting being in a hurricane area and watch the preparations being made by folks who are experienced in dealing with these things. >From today's Raleigh - Durham News & Observer: http://www.newsobserver.com/
"In addition, the Guard has mobilized about 270 soldiers from the eastern and central part of the state, staging three 50-person "strike teams" Sunday night at armories in New Bern, Elizabeth City and Williamston, said Capt. Matt Handley, Guard spokesman. 

The remaining soldiers will be held in reserve at the Guard armory in Kinston. The strike teams are equipped with Humvees, 5-ton trucks and special 10-wheel high water vehicles. The Highway Patrol has deployed 456 state troopers for storm duty. 

Although about 3,000 Guard troops are deployed overseas or are in training, there are about 8,000 soldiers and air crews in the state, said Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr., adjutant general of the N.C. National Guard. This gives the Guard more home-based manpower than it had during last year's hurricane season, when 5,500 Guard troops were serving overseas, most of them with the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade."

I filled my car with gas on Sunday as I had waited until the warning light came on hoping the price would drop but it was still $2.98 for no-lead. I then mowed my lawn as I told my wife I didn't want long blades of grass sticking up through the water in case we are flooded! 

Ocracoke Island has been evacuated and many schools are closed today and tomorrow near the coast. The forecast at this time is that it will develop into a category 1 hurricane which is not too bad. I am very impressed by the preparations being made by the state and local officials and information that has been in place since after September 16, 1999 when Hurricane Floyd came through the area.

Dick Schmidt




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