The Big Apple vs The Coast Wrecker

8:15am
Continue to follow updates at NBC-4 New York. Good coverage there. High tide is occurring.

Just watched Cantore on the Weather Channel. I like Jim, love his enthusiasm. It always seems as if he's at the center of the worst weather. This time, however, it almost seemed like he was complaining that the storm was much stronger across the Outer Banks of NC than where he is along Battery Park in lower Manhattan. I had predicted a few days ago that winds should peak out at 60-70 mph there. Conditions are still bad in NY, but not nearly as bad as some were predicting.

Nevertheless, I defend the evacuation orders because if no orders were given and serious flooding occurred along with loss of life, then people would be 'up in arms' over that 'horrible' decision not to evacuate. But, it goes to show you can't please everyone. Some are going to look back on this and question whether they should heed the next evac order, should one occur again.
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6:55am UPDATE
22 ft waves being reported at bouys offshore.
Eye should move between Brooklyn and Queens, bringing storm surge along with an approaching astronomical high tide.
67 mph wind gust at LaGuardia
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6:45am UPDATE
Power outage updates
213,000 PSG&E
208,000 along Long Island
68,000 ConEd
As of this post, Manhattan has zero power outages, thanks to underground wires. But, that could change.
Expecting 5-7 days before power could be restored in many locations according to PSG&E
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6:30am UPDATE
High tide expected around 8:00am
Irene moving a little faster thus coinciding storm surge and high tide; could be major flooding.
5-10" rain expected.
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6:15am UPDATE
Now tuned in to NBC station in NY...
Death toll up to 10 along east coast of US
Roof partially torn of NJ apartment.
More updates LIVE coverage at Channel 4 HERE

Police now say a river is about to flood highway in New York city, wants to shut it down...more on this as info becomes available.
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6:00 am UPDATE
Listening to Suffolk county Police scanner on Long Island...
Many fire hazards as trees are bringing down live power lines, transformer fires as well.
Roads are flooding.
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Sounds like a Godzilla movie...but this is really serious. As of 5:40am, waking up to over 2,500,000 power outages along the east coast of the U.S.

Power outages are rapidly increasing in the boroughs of New York City. Listening to police scanners, several trees blocking highways, falling on apartment dwellings trapping residents, and downing power lines.

The LIE has a tree blocking right side of roadway.
Near the entrance to the Bronx Zoo, tree blocking both sides of the highway.
Fire Depts are very busy this morning, responding to several fires, mostly weather-related.
Wires down near E. 18th.