Well, the east coast has certainly been busy today! First Hurricane
Irene threatens and then an earthquake. I hope all are doing okay.
Here we go:

It seems as if Irene will miss Florida altogether but will hit the
coastlines of South and North Carolina, possibly as a Cat 3. The pics
are embedded, but since the FML doesn't allow for embedding, here is
the link as well.

<http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/article/tropical-depression-nine-storm-hurricane-irene_2011-08-20>

The areas of possible involvement include several ferret shelters. The
eastern half of South Carolina and most of North Caroline and Virginia,
all of Maryland and New Jersey and part of West Virginia should all be
on alert. If you have a shelter in that area, please check in.

But, most importantly, decide now:

1. Do you go or do you stay? Are you going to shelter in place or
leave?

2. If you are leaving, where are you going to go? Are you expected? Is
your emergency evacuation plan current?

3. Have you contacted someone out of the area and let them know of your
plans? You can email me at crdowns@ gmail.com and I will keep track of
your info for F.E.R.R.E.T. (http://ferretemergency.org) or you can call
me and leave your name, your shelter name and the name and telephone #
of your out of area contact - even if it is me (let me know). We will
check in with you if your area is hit.

You can leave information for me at any of the following #s:
(907)644-5655
(907)268-0215
(860)906-8798

Do you have a generator?

4. Do you have adequate food and water (human and animal) set away for
a minimum of 3 days? A week is better.

5. Is your car completely gassed up?

If you are anywhere in New York or Pennsylvania or New England, you may
have heavy rains and flooding. Keep an eye on the weather. This is the
perfect opportunity to practice your emergency plan.

We sincerely hope that you are not in harm's way. If you need anything,
please let us know.

 [image: Tropical Depression Eight]
****

[image: Northeast U.S. Threat Level]****

[Moderator's note: Remainder removed since it can't be reproduced
from website, but please see above link for full details. In short,
the path of the hurricane may affect a LOT of the northeast -- even
western NY state and northern Vermont! BIG]

-- 
Renee Downs, on behalf of

Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org

"Eventually we will realize that if we destroy the ecosystem we
 destroy ourselves." Jonas Salk
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who
gets the credit!

[Posted in FML 7163]