I wish I knew more about Hurricane Irene than what we are reporting, but I don't. My guess is as good as yours. I'm hoping she changes direction or blows out to sea. Whether or not the City is prepared actually is not my biggest concern. I'm more worried about whether I can handle it. I'm just not up for basement flooding this weekend.

Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene. The Category 3 storm is expected to come ashore Saturday in North Carolina before heading north. Meteorologists believe Irene could become the most powerful hurricane to hit the East Coast in years.

New York City's Emergency Operations Center is tracking Hurricane Irene, and Mayor Bloomberg is urging New Yorkers to be prepared. Residents in low-lying areas may face evacuation this weekend. The City has crews working to clear some of the 143,000 catch basins to help with street drainage.

Are you doing anything to prepare for Hurricane Irene's possible arrival this weekend? Do you feel confident in OEM's preparations for the storm? Does your neighborhood flood during heavy rains?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

My family lives out of all 3 evacuation zones. However my mother works in a B zone, and my sister works in an A zone. Luckily my sister has the day off. Luckily my mother and I are going to Canada over the weekend, because we got tickets in advance. Luckily, we live in the 7th floor or the top floor. Below the nonexistent 10th floor as the folks have suggested you stay under.. My father lives in a basement.

The only preparation I had to do was simply tell him to bring his very few belongings and come up to my place. I am ready. Irene can come, and I feel confident we will have very minor damage.

Gabriel from Pelham Parkway (No Zone)

I live in a north-facing, fifth floor apartment in Zone-A, so I'm probably safe, at least until the plumbing backs up. But I'm also disabled and have medical needs that are better met at home than in a high school gymnasium or FEMA shelter, so, even if they order an evacuation of my area, I'm staying put, even if it means going down with the ship.

And, besides, I sleep late on Sunday mornings. Goodnight, Irene. I'll see you in my dreams.

BIG ANDY
Manhattan Beach

Please stop telling your viewers that they will need their cell phones. If cell towers are blown down they will not get cell service. Phone service through cable providers will also be out if cable goes out. Cordless phones won't work if electricity goes out -- an 'old fashoined' land line plugs into the wall phone jack works best. This is why it's important to have a radio that works with batteries or one that is powered by a hand crank.

Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes.

Much of the flooding can happen after a hurricane, particularly if you are downward from the flow of water (river, creek, etc...). It might even happen a day or two after you get back to your home, so be prepared to come back to that if your area floods. This is also when roads get washed out. NEVER go across a flooded road, when you can't see if it's really there.

An ax comes in handy of you have to make a hole through the ceiling.

I used to be in charge of maintenance of a Marine Search and Rescue unit in North Carolina (VMR-1). The aftermath of hurricane Floyd was brutal. Many rescues were of drivers and truck drivers who were on top of their vehicles. Other people were rescued from the top of their roofs. Hundreds were saved -- among them -- dogs, cats and a ferret.

Mari
New Windsor, NY

Ridiculous. I Lived in Miami and there wasn't this much crap about andrew and rita There are so many possibilities before it hits new York It could end up being nothing more than a rain storm.

Jim
UWS

I live a few blocks from a pier, but i've never seen flooding in my area during heavy rains. This might be different though, and if I'm asked to evacuate will do so expeditiously, a hurricane of the magnitude of Irene needs to be taken seriously by all New Yorkers.

Felix
Bay Ridge

Why does the media always make events like this a doomsday scenario? I've lived on the same block in Howard Beach most of my 55 years. I don't recall suggested or mandatory evacuations as a child, neither does my mother. Well, anyway, thanks for the laughter this week.

Terry
Hamilton Beach section of Howard Beach

Please remind your viewers that it is crucial that New Yorkers are prepared to take pets with them if asked to evacuate in the face of this potentially destructive storm. If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets.

Pet owners should have an emergency plan that includes the safety of their animals, and always be informed about the potential for evacuation in their area.

Patrick

EACH BOROUGH SHOULD KNOW WHERE THE EVAC ROUTES ARE. PRESS CONFERENCES SHOULD INCLUDE THAT. WHAT OVERNIGHT PREPARATIONS ARE THERE FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE TEMPORARILY SHELTERED? LETS MAKE SURE THE FLOOD GATES ARE IN FULL WORKING ORDER. LET'S NOT MAKE THIS INFO AVAILABLE IN THE LAST HOUR OF NEED.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

No really, I am not doing anything to prepare for the Hurricane. For me, I would say
what will be will be. We all need to pray and ask god to protect us. In the mean time,
if it comes, stay lying low !

Ruthann
Queens

Before I get myself all upset. I would like to know how prepared this city, state and local governments are. To me they were not prepared for the earthquake and I don't think that they are prepared for this hurricane at all.

A few things and one to begin with is why try the last minute to clean all the catch basins out and why do we need this mayor to brag about how much money he has spent on replacing water pipes in certain areas. I also want to know is what price are the people going to have to pay if this hurricane hits New York. Remember Manhattan is nothing but land fills just to make parks and high rise buildings for the high rent district in lower Manhattan although we pay exuberant prices for everything just as though we live in a high rent district.

We that live in the outer boroughs are treated as though we were the stepchildren. I have been in hurricanes and when they hit it is horrific and there was a time a few years back that we had many, many hurricanes one after the other and they are frightening and because when they tell you that it is only a rain maker that is still devastating and include the wind whether it be 15, 30 or 100 mph. Both are a concern.

maxxiee
mp

I heard that OEM and Bloomberg are well prepared to fight off Hurricane Irene.

The snow plows and salt trucks are all lined up and ready for action.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

The NYC OEM Hurricane evacuation Zones map shows Rikers Island in white (as in No Evacuation Zone). I can't believe that - given that everything around it in the Bronx and Queens is flagged as Zone B or C (B floods in cat 2 or higher, C in 3 & 4). I would love to know what Corrections plans to do with the 14,000 inmates when Irene hits.

Geoff
Brooklyn, NY

EVERYBODY EVACUATE!

Vince
Harlem

I am planing on having a good time indoor with family from jamaica, queens and let the storm pass by.

Nasir

Residents of our Great City dont need to be reminded that they need to be stock up like is the "End of The World" unless you lived on Coastal area and supermarkets or Grocery Stores are 50 miles away. Most of the residents of NYC lived very close to Grocery Stores including SevenEleven. Hurricane on Sunday, Back to work on monday.

Jose

All those scoffers need to understand the power of nature. I was living in Guantanamo Bay when the big hurricane hit Jamaica, 500 miles away. We drove down to the beach the next day, and the waves had pulled up the lifeguard chair, grounded in cement, and moved it to the back of the beach. We can never be too careful. We should always be prepared for the worst, and rejoice when it’s better than predicted.

Alley

I have volunteered for a disaster services agency for 5 years on their help line and I can tell you that now is not the time to prove what a tough guy you are. I spoke to people who tried to "ride out the storm" in Katrina and Rita and for most of them it was a harrowing experience. Even if you're not in Zone A, all 5 boroughs could face a power outage and we should all prepare for that.

Judy
Forest Hills

I’m prepared for the impending storm. Hopefully damage will be kept to a minimum and only destroy NY1’s ability to transmit that irritating, obnoxious, way-too-often repeated commercial featuring Shelley Goldberg!! UGH!!!!

John

I feel confident the NYC OEM has one a great job...they had all this information maps with hurricane zone A,B and C for many years......there arte Coastal evacuation zones all over Staten island

The problem is that there is a right angle in the coastline with Coney Island on one side and NJ on the other side... with the Hurricane tracking west and the Hurricane winds Counterclockwise..this will mean that the wind speed and forward speed will add puting the NE quadrant of the Hurricane right in the path of NYC...this could produce a very high storm surge

DO NOT GO TO JERSEY...They got over16 inches with FLOYD in 1999...with tremendous flooding ...Stay on Staten Island in an evacuation shelter.

Alan from Staten Island

Someone might die. The first thing that comes to our mayor's mind during an emergency is AUSTERITY! And TRIAGE!

During the snow storm time square was plowed immediately. Now he's picking and choosing who should evacuate.

The Voice of Harlem

WE must be doing something wrong. The very planet that's given us life is reeking havoc. Bloomberg needs to talk more openly about how we can take care of our planet, no more of these baby steps, we need a DRASTIC change. I hope everyone makes it out of this hurricane ok, and hope everyone else around the world that have been or will be affected by natural disasters, stay ok. Our lives are so fragile, and we only notice when things like this come our way. Keep water and a good book on hand and hang on tight! Remember it's better safe then sorry when it comes to your life. Get somewhere safe! Love from Queens<3

Denise

Well , the hurricane is going to come hard but I never experienced a hurricane 15 years of living I just want to make sure me and my family will be okay and if we have to evacuate we will because I don't want this hurricane to destroy my apartment.

I hope it doesn't hit hard.

Stephanie

How many times have we been told by our elected officials that New York is the safest city in the world? Yes, we are impervious to future terrorist attacks and the wrath of Mothe Nature. That said, let's get back to the business of closing hospitals and firehouses while continuing the pursuit of building more modern facilities for sports franchises.

Tom
Forest Hills, NY

What happens if this turns out to be another Mt. Vesuvious? I have boarded up my home, bought bottled water, stocked up on tuna fish but many people think it is all hype and tv ratings. We should at least be able to use our cell phone?

Roy in Canarsie

I'm Guillermo from the Upper East Side Manhattan. Hurricanes loose power when the get into cold water areas . New York is located far from the Caribe. There's no way Irene will get stronger heading north. We are gonna get a lot of rain possibly.

Do not panic.

Have a save weekend.

Guille

What happened to New York's Teeth? First an earthquake and now a hurricane. We'll live through this. No need to panic. The city will whine now if the wind blows a 5 mph.

Michael

I live in Midland Beach with my mother and elderly grandmother. We flood whenever we get heavy rains, so this storm is concerning us.

Because of my grandmother's limited mobility, we plan on leaving tomorrow morning unless we get the signal everything is a-okay. I hope our basement doesn't get too water logged! I don't want to have to swim to my washing machine!

Delia
Midland beach

We have to get ready for the storm cause we don't know if it is coming

Carlene

I'm a native Staten Islander & a frequent park patron at Staten Island's Snug Harbor. This Saturday, Snug has their Polish Festival scheduled to run AS ORGANIZED despite the Mayor & Governor putting New York into a state of emergency because of Hurricane Irene.

I'd like New York 1 to try to find out why Snug Harbor apparently doesn't care about the safety of its patrons or its staff. The festival could draw over 1000 people. And the storm is set to hit Saturday night. Snug Harbor is also in a potential flood zone.

Personally I think it's irresponsible, but it could be downright life threatening if they don't replan this event. Not only won't they reschedule, I've heard from friends who work there that staff members have been threatened with termination if anyone scheduled to work requests the time off or can't make it in to work, regardless of circumstance.

Thank you for your help
-Frustrated from SI

People are just going to act insane for nothing! Is going to be a great day!

Yanet, Bronx ny

To prepare, I am moving everything off my terrace into the apartment. I think it is important for people to empty terraces, and balconies.

Regards,
Jackie

New York government is prepared. But not all New Yorkers are. Some are not taking it serious enough and some are just overreacting to the point that they can't get make up a plan. People need to calm down and prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

Osaretin

I see that Mayor Bloomberg is taking all the precautions for this hurricane because he took plenty of blacklash from the city of his handling of the winter snow storms....

David from Brooklyn

We will all be fine. Get your Netflix ready, buy some snacks, and enjoy a lazy day!

Lisa
Cobble hill

I'm not confident that we are fully prepared for Irene whatsoever ....we've had horrible storms in the past and wasn't looking to good ! Especially mass transit shutting down!! Let's face it we can never be fully prepared against nature

Vanessa
Jackson heights

I am evacuating on Saturday nite to a good bar for arguably the best nite of my life. I lived in Houston for ten years and lost 2 cars and my appendix to hurricanes.

Charles

I live a good half-mile uphill from the worst-case local evacuation zone, so I'm ok there. Got plenty of food I don't have to cook (in case the electricity goes out; have elec. stove). Have batteries, just need more cat food and litter.

While it's good for the MTA to be proactive for this storm, I'm wondering whether it is necessary to suspend all service. Can't they shorten some lines to indoor-only sections or provide service on lines such as the E or R which don't go outside at all?

Faye from Brooklyn

I prepare for the hurricane by praying because the people who think they are in charge are in for a rude awakening, they are not in charge.

Michael lower E Side

Mayor Bloomburg is not taking any chances on this hurricane Irene.
He had been criticized last December for his very poor lack of judgement in the snow storm.

It sounds like he may have learned it is better to be over prepared than under.
This storm will probably be a big nothing but better safe than sorry.

Jesse in Manhattan

Until a few years ago, the subways ran no matter what. Now things shut down for hours on certain lines if there is heavy rain and we had three days (!!!) without service in southern Brooklyn after the Christmas blizzard and during another snowstorm they shut everything down. This sort of thing never used to happen. Making sure the subways run should be a top priority. How are people supposed to evacuate if they need to if they don't have transportation? How will people get to work to provide necessary services?

Considering that the mayor "encourages" people not to drive with bike lanes, pedestrian plazas and proposing congestion pricing, the city has been making it very difficult to get around without a car.

Kelly in Sheepshead Bay

As i see hurricane Iren might come on Sunday and i have job early morning in Manhattan. i will be traveling from queens to Manhattan. Is mayor bloomer wants the daily job to be continue this storm or employer should post pond the job for Sundays?

farzana

I live in rockaway. I will not evacuate. J walter and Bloomberg just need an excuse to shut down the subways.

I do not feel confident that the city knows what to do. I can’t even decipher a subway announcement

Ben
Brooklyn

If there is an evacuation of the city, under bloomberg the rich & powerful will leave first.

Chris-harlem.

I'm slightly worried, I'll be honest, but my family will most likely not prepare, I've seen some raw videos at Bahamas and such, it seems pretty average.

vtwet

Dont believe its going to be as bad as mentioned

john from woodside

I have not experienced a NYC power outage yet. How likely is it the all of NYC will experience a power outage since the low-lying areas of NYC are probable to have power outages. Are the grids all connected?

How efficiently has the city resolved power outages in the past

Kevin & Shanise

Although I'm not a fan of Mayor Bloomberg, I'm very pleased with his management of what is obviously the potential for a variety of calamities that may befall the city should the hurricane hit the city.

Kenn

I'm not worried at all! new York has had terrible snow storms, terrible heat waves and terrible freezing temperatures! That shouldn't be different than any other rain storm! New Yorkers survive anything!

Yanet, Bronx ny

I live in an apartment complex in fat rockaway and keep my motorcycle locked up downstairs. I had to bring it up to my ninth floor apt in order to save it from water damage while I relocate to richmond hill.

Daniel

The Oyster Creek Nuclear power plant is the oldest Nuclear plant in the USA, on the shoreline of NJ in the path of Irene. And it is the identical design as the Fukashima plant.

Nicola

I believe Tuesday's Earthquake was a harbinger to come. I'm in preparation for Irene considering that in recent times we experienced erratic weather patterns. Very worried.

Marcella from Clinton Hill brooklyn

No, I haven't prepared, but I'm pretty sure I don't need the preparation. Hurricane Irene doesn't seem threatening.

Karen

this looks potentially major. but how hard is it to prepare?

do people *really* not keep a single item of food in their apartments, thus explaining the hour long lines at grocery stores tomorrow?

it's called tuna, people. buy a can.

deb
jackson heights

If Irene misses us, people will go on and forget about any and all efforts to prepare. If it hits, they'll complain about how Bloomberg mishandled the whole thing. Mark my words. When you are the mayor of a city with 8 million very-demanding residents, you never win.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

I live in Far rockaway and I feel if the city clean the sewers, it should not be any problems...

julybaby

I am getting prepared. However, all we are hearing about is flooding. I want to hear about what buildings are being required to do for high winds. I live in a rental building with glass windows and a door to a small terrace, a 1980s building. All we are being asked to do is bring in our chairs and ‘loose items’ from our terraces. What are the expected winds, and what are the city’s codes for buildings for windows, etc?

Lois

We can deep-fry butter on a stick, but we can't handle some wind and water. I wonder if the two are related.

Jordan
Flushing

Our family isn't really preparing at all. We aren't that worried. New York has had some really bad storms before. I mean, come on, this storm can't really be that bad. We have been told there will be a bad storm a few times before, and in the end, there was only some heavy rain and a little lightning. But just in case, I am charging my phone. That's something I will need in case we ever need a hasty exit. But as if that will happen!

Sneeha, Woodside

It is easy to evacuate people from these places, but they should be told where they will be staying while the hurricane crosses our area.

Zenokur

All I got to say is this storm better hit head on. The Mayor and the city have done a great job of causing a state of panic. Looks like the Mayor is trying to make up for the Major snow storm that he did nothing for. I guess the Mayor will do his job and stay in town this weekend instead of going away like he does every weekend. Everyone in NYC should write it down it's a rare Seven day work week for the Mayor. Lets hope their right and the storm hits and it does not become another Y2K.

Joe Bayside

Hey Bloomberg, you know that HUUUUUUGGGGGGGEEEEEEE homeless and low income population which resides in the city.... what are ya gonna do to help them prepare? I personally cant afford to prepare and am already without food.... so what should I do? and as for the people living under bridges and in alleys, because nycha sits in ruins while you re-do all the tourist areas, are we gonna set up emergency shelters for them? or just let the sea take them?

David,Brooklyn

The mayor has been urging us to go to the city website and check the hurricane evacuation map or call 311. Well already during the press conference press said you can't get thru on 311. I found out that if you try to go to nyc.gov website, it's so busy that it won't open. Then I finally got to it thru someone else's site, put in my address and it can't process it. Really great in an emergency isn't it? Give it a try.

Sue

I'm definitely ready. Im in General Emergency Services with the Air Force Aux. and on alert to assist. Better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

C/A1C Josean, CAP