Update: Hurricane Sandy & Me.

I didn't work today.  As posted last night, the mandatory evacuation began at 8 pm with Shelters opening at noon today and everyone getting out of Dodge by 8 PM tonight. Seeing photos of the restaurant completely boarded up on Face Book this morning, I sent a text asking if we were closed. Reply said "no, opening as usual."  Which was followed by an incoherent telephone conversation. Evidently, the Governor's message was not received by the locosguys, who pitched a hissy fit.  I was told to take the day off.  It's complicated. 

(Photo: High tide this morning on Rehoboth Beach. Note there is no beach visible, only ocean and the sea foam being pushed right up to the dunes. Photo from local newspaper website posted this morning.)

Last night during storm preparations I found that I neglected to remove the batteries from the emergency weather radio last year after hurricane Irene and they corroded, essentially ruining the innards of the radio. Salt air does that, I suppose. Since I was dressed for work anyway, I took a drive (hoping against hope) to try to find a new one.  No luck, of course. Most stores were closed, but those that were open had sold out of everything battery-related. Including batteries.

Northbound traffic was heavy, while southbound was empty, but for a few of us locals doing last minute things that ought to have been done last week.  Oh Sigh!

In any case, there are no hotel rooms to be had for 40+ miles.  Well, I have plenty of batteries, flashlights, and candles; canned goods, water, Kindle (fully charged) a land line phone as well as the cell phone. Unless the building blows down or washes away, I ought to be OK.  And if it does that's OK, too.

Bands of rain come and go, the winds are steady at about 15 - 25 mph. That will change as the night wears on.

And so it goes.
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