Irene Cometh

Irene was my grandmother's name, for whatever that's worth. My grandmother was a lot nicer than I think this storm will be.

I just left a movie theater  in Bar Harbor, where it was pouring rain and thought "already?" But back here at the house it's dry and eerily quiet. I know the hurricanes that smash into southern states never really make it this far north - once they arrive they are usually all wore out, like they've been out to four other places and it's their last party of the night. But ocean storms have caused damage in Maine. Hurricanes Bob in 1991 and Gloria in 1985 are two that come to mind.

NOAA's still predicting tropical storm force winds for most of Maine when Irene arrives tomorrow night. I predict power outages and flooding, but to what extent I guess I'm not sure. The high tide in Bar Harbor that is due to crest a few minutes before 11 p.m. tomorrow has some potential for causing problems, as do the predicted 70 mph wind gusts from Mount Desert Island. Storm surge pushing in from the Gulf of Maine could funnel into places like Bucksport, Ellsworth, Wiscasset, Waldoboro and other towns that sit on waterways not too far from the coast.

My house is up the hill from the river, so I don't think there will be any flooding in my neighborhood. We have batteries, oil lamps, a gas grill and books and magazines if the power goes out. If I go anywhere, I have my foul weather gear and hip waders in the back of the car. Other than that, I'll just have to wait and see what happens.