First may I say my heart & prayers go out to anyone effected by "Irene". I have been glued to the news reports and some of the videos they show just break my heart.
Hubby and I have planned for about five years to tour the New England states to see the fall foliage. Was planning to leave Texas toward the end of Sept. Now we are wondering if that is such a good idea. There are so many places we want to visit that are near or along the coastline and now the flooding , the power outages and recovery efforts...should we rethink this and maybe try another year? I just don't know. We certainly don't want to go and then be in the way because they are still recovering. (we will travel with our 5th wheel camper)
Certainly has been an eventful year for us. My husband retired Nov. 2010 and we had a winter with record low temps for a record number of days in a row..very unusual. Then in February the winds started and didn't stop until late early Aug. The winds combined with the horrible drought has caused an extrordinarily high number of wild fires. These fires fueled by the winds have been devestating to almost every county in TExas (our small community suffered the loss of 13 homes) Now we are experiencing a record number of triple digit heat days. I think we are at 78 days now. We froze, blew away, fried and dried up. (many lakes are literally drying up)
I think my husband should go back to work...LOL!!!

I will admit, this has been one disastrous year.

Well, if your husband retiring is why we are in this terrible drought, I vote he goes back to work too! haha, just kidding. Research the areas you are planning to visit, maybe the recovery efforts will be concluded prior to your travel dates.

They're predicting 50-60% chance of rain starting this Thursday, thru the weekend (Houston area), so tell your husband to hold off on going back to work. Things may be changing (at least I really hope they are!)

I live in an area of Vermont not effected too much. If you come, stay to the northern areas, Burlington and up as the south is going to be difficult to navigate for some time. Some towns have so many roads washed out, its hard for the local people to even get around. If you could wait until next year, that may be a good plan. On YouTube if you search from 'Vermont flooding' you'll see a lot of tragic stuff. I know of two covered bridges that were washed away or severely damaged. Houses swept right off their foundations and washed down the river. Towns with the main streets turned into rivers and road beds destroyed. Cellars full of water, trees down, electricity out...truly devastating in central and southern counties mostly. I'd check with this department before I came. It's a bit early to really know the extend and the duration of the issues. http://www.vermontvacation.com/

We are in the west Texas area along IS20 about 80 west of Abilene. Only a 10% chance of light scattered showers around here. And I don't think I could get hubby to go back to work if I tried...hahaha. Kinda enjoy being able to just hit the road whenever we want now. Hope you have a good rain in your area.

Sounds like a beautiful trip. I would choose to wait another year because of Irene. I live in a hilly area and we have some breath taking views. Some years the colors are more vivid then others.

Oh Linda, so glad you were not effected. I have watched the news reports almost nonstop and it just makes my heart ache when I see some of that devastation. The covered bridge going down that has been there since the 1800's and the homes destroyed....just so sad. Thnx so much for information and I will keep all those effected in my prayers.

I would go now... hurricanes happen every year... I would bet there are still plenty of trees to see... and if your health is good take advantage of this time together and make some memories... you never know what great life stories you will come home with... if you wait until everything is "just right" you may never go.

It was so sad to see the old covered bridges that were washed away up north.........I hope you decide to go.

I think everything will be pretty well fixed by the time you get here, which should be late Sept - early Oct. Make sure you have someplace to stay, the hotels fill up early, not sure about campgrounds.