Hurricane Irene

Basics

Wikipedia

Forecast map

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Hurricane Irene is a Wikipedia">North Atlantic tropical cyclone that inflicted extensive damage to Caribbean nations before making landfall in North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. The ninth named storm, the first hurricane and the first major hurricane of the 2011 season, Irene formed from a well-defined Atlantic tropical wave that showed signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles. It developed atmospheric convection and a closed cyclonic circulation center, prompting the National Hurricane Center to initiate public advisories on the tropical cyclone late on August 20. Subsequent convective organization occurred as it passed the Leeward Islands, and by August 21, it moved very close to Saint Croix. The next day Irene made landfall near Puerto Rico, where high winds and intermittent torrents caused significant property damage.

The hurricane strengthened as it passed through The Bahamas, becoming a major hurricane, Category 3 hurricane or higher on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Meanwhile, the storm caused extensive damage to the islands. Curving toward the north, Irene skirted past Florida with its outer bands producing tropical-storm-force winds. It made landfall over Eastern North Carolina's Outer Banks on the morning of August 27. Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least seven deaths; monetary losses could be as high as US$3.1 billion according to preliminary estimates.

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Information

NotifyNYC on Twitter

Notify NYC twitter feed with latest alerts

City of New York

City of New York on Twitter

NYC Office of Emergency Management

NYC Office of Emergency Management on Facebook

National Hurricane Center

National Hurricane Center site providing detailed location and forecasting of tropical storms and hurricanes. (direct link to Irene)

Ready.Gov Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane preparedness resources by Ready.Gov

New York City DataMine

This catalog supplies many sets of public data produced by NYC agencies and other City organizations. The data sets are available in a variety of machine-readable formats and are updated often.

Weather.com

Read up-to-the-minute updates by weather.com

American Red Cross

If you are affected by Hurricane Irene this page will show you how to get the help you need.

Maps

Google Maps

Full trail and predicted path of Hurricane Irene. Evacuation Zones and Hurricane Evacuation Centers in New York City.

ConEd Storm Center

Map of all current power outages.

Pepco Power Outages

Pepco power outages in the DC area

Progress Energy Power Outages

Updates occur just prior to 12am, 4am, 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm

Delmarva Power Outages

Map of all current power outages

Atlantic City Electric Power Outages

Map of all current power outages

NYC Evacuation Zones

NYC Evacuation Zones by wNYC

American Red Cross

Search for open Red Cross shelters by address, city, state, and/or zip code

News

General Outline of Jewish Law Related to Hurricane Irene

Source: The OU

Please consult with your own congregational rabbi in specific instances where a hurricane is expected.

Minyan

If a hurricane is happening on Shabbat, stay home!

Try to prearrange with your rabbi to have the congregation lain two parshiyot on the next Shabbat.

Electricity

If there is no electricity on Shabbat and the storm is over AND if civil authorities declare the area safe, Minyan should take place only during daylight hours.

If there is electricity, services are held as regularly scheduled.

Assume no Eruv

Carrying permitted for life/limb threatening situations.

Carrying permitted for individuals who need medical attention without which a person's functionality is compromised, (even for a bed-ridden headache). In this case carrying should be done, only if possible, in an irregular fashion (i.e. carrying medicine in ones belt or shoe).

Carrying permitted to allow a baby, infirm seniors or a child traumatized by the event to function without compromise. In this case carrying should be done, if possible, in a irregular fashion (i.e. two people carrying or wheeling the stroller/person.)

Use of candles and Flashlights

Use yahrzeit or hurricane candles lit before Shabbat placed in designated locations.

Hang/place lit flashlights with fresh batteries in key locations before Shabbat.

If flash light/candle goes out

When necessary (to take care of children, to eat, etc.) and there is no other light a non-Jew can relight or change batteries

If not having the light may create a life threatening situation, you may do it yourself.

Moving candles and flashlight is permitted in the following situations:

• For any medical concerns no matter how slight
• Carrying permitted for comfort and welfare of seniors and children under eight (or above eight years old when child is traumatized by the event)
• When possible, moving a candle, should be done by two individuals

Radio

Radio should be left on in a side room

Channel should not be changed

Volume on radio may be adjusted on Shabbat. Better to keep it on low for it preserves the battery and only raise it when necessary.