A lot has happened since last few days.Hurricane Irene has suddenly engulfed the US east coast.Just two days back all desis over here were discussing non stop about Anna hazaare and suddenly it has taken a back seat : Hurricane. The name itself stirs up something in my stomach.Often times we hear about it, we hear about the destruction , we hear about the havoc it creates and the help organizations extend.
Seldom do we think of : what exactly these people are going through.
today is that day, rather this weekend is that period.
Yes it was Thursday(Aug 25th 11) when the first news of a hurricane coming along the east coast struck us.A little fear , some discussions at coffee corners at office and a little mention about it in office meetings. It was going to hit Bahamas on Friday.Till this time it was really just another hurricane hitting US coasts.
Well things changed a bit as friday panned. Discussions had taken an ugly turn.
It all started when I got an email from my manager asking me about what are the plans for coverage in case power goes down and we have to swing our data center away from NY to Western Parts of NJ. News was spreading, every newspaper was not talking about the hurricane. Yes it was category 3 on friday. It was supposed to hit NC coast on saturday and come close to NY/NJ by saturday night- sunday evening.
Winds at speed of 100+ mph for an extended period of time.Often times we hear about 50mph speed of wind/gusts but they are just bursts...only stay for about 5/10 at max an hour, but hod on guys, here I am talking about an extended period of time..
12-16 hours !
Once the office preparation for eventual shutdown of the NY system started, I was sure something i terribly wrong. Talked to Vandita, she was also a bit scared.
Email started flowing around, phone calls: basically it was all over the east coast.
Everyone is now preparing for it.
Stocking up piles of water/non perishable food/ batteries/torches: what not.
When the water supply at the big stores at Walmart/BJ/Sams club is depleting : its a good sign that people are scared and are prepping for the worst. yes its coming our way now.
To be frank we were also scared.: Not sure what to do ...to leave this place and go away or be at home , prepare ourselves. What to do ?? We are still discussing it while I am writing this blog !
Anyways so yesterday night after stacking up everything at home, we went for a quick dinner , had a drink and tried to get out of this mood, this particular topic was making us sick as you really cant do much but wait !!!
Its Saturday morning, stacks are ready..windows sealed and we are checking again and again on them. Calling friends near by, calling mom dad, and talking to friends on FB. Its crazy, the storm seems to have gone down a notch, but still the fear is here to stay...
Its the strangest feeling that we have ever witnessed !
God help us all, hopefully no one ever is made to use all these stacks and we go out and get a nice dinner soon...
Stay tuned..
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