I live on the coast of Virginia and we are as ready as you can be for something like this storm. I have lots of food in the pantry and bottled water and all that. When the power goes out for a week or more it is terrible and that is exactly what is apt to happen. We have a generater but it is such a pain. I pray it will turn out to sea and we will all be safe.

We're under a Blizzard WARNING here.

I have asked a contractor for the past two years to put one in....when it is hot and dry, he is busy with other stuff, when I bug him about it, I get another promise.....I did move all the stuff, rolled up the rugs, put bricks under what I can't move to elevate it above the water. I did groceries, have lots of water in containers in the freezer, if we lose power I can use the water to keep things cold as when it thaws for drinking or cooking. I have a hot tub that I can pull water from to flush the toilet - on a well ya know - lots of ready to eat food ( comfort as well as nutritious), oil for the lamps, batteries for the flashlights, the portable radio and dvd players. Plan for the worst, pray for the best.

Check with your fire departent. They come to your home to vac water out. Not sure how big an area they cover or if all do that. Worth a check . Stop in and talk with someone.

Ditto prayers to you all

I'm in Brooklyn, too! It's so rare that my husband's work closes for anything. But with no trains, it seems like the whole city shuts down. We've done all we can, so now we're just sitting here, waiting for something to happen. It started to rain overnight. We'll probably take turns staying awake through the night to make sure the outside drains stay unclogged. As long as the sump pump stays powered, we should be okay, God-willing.

Thoughts and prayers I know all about hurricanes, I lived thru Katrina we had NO power for 30 days, NO cable, of course you need electricy for that, NO telephones. I heard on the car radio that you had to call ATT and report the phone not working, crazy huh we just had a cat 5 huricane come visit. We did have water two days after, thank God we are on community water. And to top it all since it was Aug, it was 99 degrees here.

We are closing schools here today as well as tomorrow. Nice to have a day off but that surely means that I will be sucking water....pray the power stays on! Water in the basement is minor compared to those who have had to evacuate. Hugs and prayers to those in more danger than I am.

My granddaughter is only having half a school day today and my dh is home since noon from his job and my dd is on her way home from work also at noon. Some places are not closing down or having people leave early. We just expect rain and high winds. Thanks for everyone's prayers for all of us on the East Coast and beyond.

Been watching pictures of this storm from friends in NJ and NY and ones taken from space. This thing is a monster. I fear for all who are in the path and pray for safety. I hope those who should evacuate are doing so or have done so. All are welcome in my home in Alabama if you need a place to go. :)