[Info-vax] Completely OT: Frank Lloyd Wright

[JF Mezei]

On 12-10-28 11:44, John E. Malmberg wrote:

> Standard operating procedure appears to be to buy more perishables like 
> Milk than you can possibly use before they expire before any major storm.


In the case of Mr VAXman, the only question is how long will his stock
of Guinness last ?  :-)

Back in 1996, I experienced Olivia. (North west Australia, it was
between a 4 and a 5). I was in Karatha at a very solidly build
backpackers. Was told to go buy enough food to last 3 days in case
stranded at backpackers (roads closed etc).

The radio warnings were stern, telling people to buy essentials,
batteries, food etc.

So I went to the grocery store before it closed. Not that many people.
But everyone's idea of "essentials" were chips, beer, cookies and other
party essentials :-)

People in the region are always prepared during cyclone season, so when
one comes along, they don't really need to stock on on the real essentials.

Despite being build very solidly (concrete, bricks), the backpacker
building at times felt like a ship in rough seas with bands of water
(not rain at that stage anymore) hitting the building at high speed
(winds up to 250kmh)

We witnessed it from a protected inner court from covered balconies. I
tried to venture out to the street side, but didn't even get to open the
door much. Second floor on one side of building was flooded. Rain/water
was coming through the emergency exit door a bit like that scene in
"Titanic" where you see water coming out all around the door just before
it breaks and floods the corridor. (except there, it didn't break).

Amazing show of nature's force. Something I will never forget.

Nevertheless, it was a party atmosphere. What else do you do all night ?
Power eventually failed rather spectacularly with transformer blowing up
here and there in town giving off the signature purple fireworks.

There was very little damage in town. Roads re-opened at noon the next
day. Found out the road house I had stayed at the night before getting
to Karatha had been destroyed. I had been warned by many to always ask
the status of Olivia before setting out on my bike in the morning. At
that roadhouse, they didn't bother getting the updated fax and told me
"not to worry, it probably won't hit here".

The morale is that for those who are prepared, such storms are awsome.
For those who are not prepared, such storms are a disaster waiting to
happen.

Important note: Ever since cyclone Tracy on december 25 1974 which
destroyed nearly all building in Darwin , Australia has had very strick
buiding standards for the northern sections that are prone to be hit by
cyclones.


Newsreel on aftermath of Tracy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=B89wBGydSvs


In the case of Sandy, it is hitting well outside of hurricane prone
areas. This isn't just home building standards, but also natural tree
pupolation of the region which is not suited for such winds and weight
of rain (and land arrangement that may cause land slides once
waterlogged etc).