We are Ready Irene! UPDATE

Yesterday I spent most of the day getting ready for Irene! We are located right on the line of severe flooding and tropical storm conditions. The forecast for our area is 50-60 mph wind and a lot rain....could be 12" or more in less then 24 hours! I didn't realize how much time it would take to get prepared.

This was my harvest today!!

"The Italian" had strung up lights over the deck area and through the garden for our wedding here at the house three years ago.

As you can see, the Paniculata Clematis vine fell down onto the light wires last week in a wind storm. I really don't want to be cleaning up broken light bulbs if the wires come down.

Deck area cleared off

We could not fit the couch chairs and table bases in the garage. So, I took the glass tops inside and piled the furniture up in an area where we don't get much wind. The dining table that is laying there was put in to the garage. The flower pots and slate quoit boards are pushed up against the furniture. They weigh a ton and should help to keep the furniture in place.

A view from the deck toward the house. The big flower pots are so heavy that they can't be moved and the oak rockers were flipped over so they don't do it on their own. They are so heavy that it would take a lot more then 60 mph wind to move those babies!

I put the Bay Leaf tree, citrus trees & some small flower pots under cover by the back door. If it gets too windy I can easily move them in to the house.

Last night before dinner I went to the plots, harvested what I could and tried to stablize the purple pole bean teepee a bit. I will be surprised if it is still up right tomorrow afternoon.

Inside the house the camp stove, propane and camping cook pots were pulled out and made readily available for cooking. The travel lap top is charging and the air card is ready! I moved a lot of frozen food from the chest freezer to the side by sides and made 8 large blocks of ice in plastic containers.

When we get really hard down pours we can get some water in the basement. The ground here is solid clay! It comes in at a certain point and runs to the drain. I spent a little time down in the basement to make sure there is an easy flow to the drain.

We are well stocked in adult beverages and food.....as you know, we do have the wine collector across the street!! So, I guess that we are ready for you Irene!! The humidity outside and inside is just unbelievable right now!

UPDATE:  It's 8AM. We were out of electricity for awhile but the electric is back on for now. There was one large tree branch in the street out front this morning and some water in the basement. The water in the basement is not bad and flowing in to the drain. It looks like we have 2-4 hours of tropical storm winds and rain left. The home garden looks good so far. Who knows about the plots. I will have a hard time getting over there due to flooding. I will post some pics later today.