It has been touch and go all weekend. Was Hurricane Irene going to ruin my trip to the New York State Fair last Saturday? It didn’t.
But Sunday was another story.
My heart and prayers go out to all my friends who went through the worst that Tropical Storm Irene dished out. Some of my friends lost power. Others had tree branches fall on their cars – or in some cases, trees come completely out of the rain-soaked grounds.
This was not a drill. Face it, kids. This was the real thing. This wasn’t a photo of a patio chair being tipped over to show the force of last week’s earthquake. This was a storm where your brand new car may have acquired a new wooden hood ornament.
And this morning, I got the news. The Mayor of Green Island, Ellen McNulty-Ryan, advised that all residents should evacuate the Town/Village of Green Island, as the waters along the Hudson River had swelled higher than expected – and weren’t about to crest until later today.
Guess where I’m currently living.
That’s right. I’m in the Town/Village.
Now at the moment, I’m glad that the Town/Village has already mobilized their forces; sandbags were laid along the shoreline that the Hudson River shares with Heatly School; and the town/village’s residents are remaining calm and acting accordingly and appropriately.
I walked down to as close to the shore as I possibly could. Got this picture with the Nikon D700.
Normally I could walk a few more feet down to the shore – you see those bushes floating in the water? They used to give me shade when I photographed along the shoreline. That’s how high the water is at this very moment. And yes, those are LOGS floating in the Hudson River. Downed trees and branches, floating down the Hudson like a violent version of Poohsticks.
I live inland from the Hudson River shoreline, so I’m kinda hoping that if the Hudson does continue to rise, it won’t get to the point where it crests onto our streets and roadways. But just to play it safe, I’m heading into work a little early.
I believe I’ll be safe. I mean, I’m living in Green Island, I’m not living in Johnstown, Pa.
But I want to know from you. How did you make it through Irene? Are your friends and family safe? Did you lose power? Is it back on? Are your trees still standing in your yard? Do you now have an indoor swimming pool in your basement?
And most importantly… are you safe and okay?
Let me know. And by posting here, you can let everyone else know as well that you’re safe.
Chuck The Writer 
Working on River Street in Troy, probably right across from where you took the picture. Things are ok on this side, although we are keeping an eye on the water that is running onto the waterfront park at the moment, and drowning out Dinosaur BBQ. Taking a lot of phone calls from worried employees. Come in if you want to, it’s open down here and the power is on…. stay home if that is where you feel you should be…..
We are fine at home, although our property washed down the hill into Altamont yesterday and we are still without power. Other than that, everything a-ok. House still standing.
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No problems. My shore property is also fine (cement, mostly), I am happy to report.
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I thought all was good yesterday – we kept our power, little to no damage noted in our area, but at approximately 3pm every single smoke detector in our home went off at the same time. I detached one of the detectors from the ceiling and water poured all over me – so now, all of our detectors/wiring has shorted out, and we have an attractive stain on the ceiling. The wind that whipped through late last night was pretty fierce, I still can’t believe we didn’t lose power where we live in Rensselaer!
That Irene is an ol’ HUSSY.
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My home office ceiling now has a leak–unusual place since it’s on the first floor. Our front porch ceiling has lost some panels, but I think that’s an easy fix. Upstairs bathroom skylight leaked, and water came in through a pipe connected to the exhaust fan. But, power remained ON, we were safe. My thoughts and prayers to those who lost so much!
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Times Union and News Channel 13 said both last night and this morning that all of Route 7 in Rensselaer County is closed, but that is, as of 7:15am, NOT the case. if route 7 was closed, and with the route 2 landslide, I would have been cut off from going anywhere. If I believed the news, I would have felt i had no choice but to not come to work. But I decided to drive to Hoosick St anyway ostensibly to get info from whatever emergency personnel was blocking route 7. Lo and behold, not a police or fire vehicle in sight anywhere on route 7.
Working on 33rd floor Corning Tower, we looked out the window a little while ago and saw what appeared to be just the bow of a small boat sticking out the water like a shark fin and floating downstream.
Unfortunately, this is the day of all days i forgot my camera at home! I’ll get pics this afternoon.
By the way, Street, this is Rich from the glory days of trivia. Hope all is well.
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Living and working in Schenectady has it’s challenges and today is no different. Most access to Schenectady, from points north and west, is shut down. We are surrounded by rivers and waterways so this is to be expected! Our office is running VERY short staffed, and that is fine. Those who can’t get in need to stay where they are safe.
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It’s starting to look alot like:
Irene 1 Downtown Troy 0.
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Well, I am surviving.. but working 12 hour shifts. I worked my day job until 3:30 and currently working 8 pm to 8 am for the next 2 days..
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Howdy Neighbor!!!!!
Though it was weird to see Green Island become an Island again, except for a few small roof leaks we came out O.K. However, the house at the end of our street (Swan) now has a pond where her yard once stood. Thank God for flood insurance!!
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Lwoodbluz –
I was checking on her property as well, she lives near me. GI Fire and Rescue sandbagged her garage door, and thankfully the water stopped just a few feet before it hit her sandbags.
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Another reason I love GI!!!! I don’t think you would find that kind of service and concern any where else in the area.
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1st day back to work due to power & flooding issues, but doing fine thanks 🙂
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Not sure when you drove home from the Fair Chuck, but driving back Sunday morning from Syracuse to Albany was killer. I felt like kissing the ground when I finally made it back. Strong winds and rains, holding on for dear life to the steering wheel of my trusty Cavalier. Everything at home was fine except for a mildly leaking kitchen ceiling (I live on the 3rd floor so I get the roof). No other problems though – was more concerned for Teri & her trees coming down on the farm. Hope all of your bloggers are now faring well & you as well. Thanks for this post – have a great day.
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