Looks like "Leslie" will be a big miss vs. a flooding mess for us in Bronxville, NY 10708
Whether you are impacted by weather from Tropical Storm Leslie, after she heads our way from a direct hit on Bermuda, or not, it's good to keep an eye on incoming, flooding storms. Remember, hurricane season in our part of the Atlantic lasts through November 30th, each year. We're not out of the woods or the eye of a later storm yet, folks!
Right now, Leslie is not a hurricane because she's slow moving, with winds of less than 73 mph. She's going almost due north and forecasted projections take Leslie up to a Category 2 Hurricane by this weekend. She's expected to pass almost directly over Bermuda and none of the forecasts have her tracking over us yet. With our westerly winds, she should stay out in the Atlantic and head for Canada, but we may get high surf and tidal surge.
By the time "Hurricane Leslie" is in our part of the Atlantic coastline, she may have slowed to a Category 1 storm and just send us some wind, a bit of rain and high surf. Still, we are an urban area that is on the coastline and even the Hudson River is "tidal." River and coastal towns in Westchester County should keep a "weather eye" on this storm.
Michael is right behind Tropical Storm Leslie, but is due to head straight north up the Atlantic and hook a right to the Azore Islands near Europe. Either way, September 10th each year is right in the middle of high hurricane season in the U.S. So, I'm keeping an eye on storms coming off the African continent, like I did as a disaster response employee years ago.
Prepare your personal home or "go" kit that includes water and non-perishable food for everyone including your pets, including -- a portable radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Also, put your photo IDs and important insurance and other documents in a water tight plastic bag and into the kit, if you have to leave the property!
Here are some other quick tips for preparing your home, family and even a business for stormy weather. This is rare in our area, but with Hurricane Irene last year, some residents in coastal towns like Mamaroneck had to evacuate. One of our clients had just had a baby and went from the hospital to a hotel, until their home was dried and safe for all.
- Plan your evacuation route and make sure you leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued. Also, please be sure to fuel up your car before you leave.
- Make sure you have car and all chargers for your cell phones and portable devices.
- Close storm shutters and board up all windows and glass doors, not just on "the waterfront side" of the property. Wind and debris damage comes from all side in a hurricane with circulating winds.
- Secure all outdoor objects, like all patio furniture and even if it's "really heavy," your cute lawn gnome, potted plants or other decorations -- that will become projectiles in winds that exceed 74 mph.
- Bring in gas or charcoal grills to a garage or basement -- unlit of course! Do NOT use them inside, or even store propane tanks inside a house or garage. Chain any propane tanks in an upright position and to a secure object away from the home.
- Secure your boat in a sheltered harbor, or just move it to a safer location out of the storms path. Some locals went ahead and "dry docked" early before last year's Hurricane Irene, to be on the safe side.
- Fill your emergency generator fuel tank, if you have one, and keep spare fuel on hand but in a outbuilding or un-attached garage.
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