We left the island at 3pm yesterday. It was very hard, but I guess because Irene gave us a practice run last year…I wasn’t a complete basket case this time.
If you are reading my blog, I know you understand.
My “home” is not just the 4 walls and a roof. It’s the entire island. I am worrying about every block, every sand dune, every business, every landmark.
Also thinking about adjacent shore communities – home to family and friends.
Grateful to be in a safe place while we wait.
 High tide this morning- taken from the 117th Street beach path in Stone Harbor, looking north. Big waves and a steady north east wind.
Around the corner at the Bird Sanctuary, the water flow pipes were working over time…providing plenty of salt water for the shore birds (the sanctuaryhas both fresh water and salt water ponds).
The back bay was high- with much of the marsh grass covered. No street flooding that I could see as I drove into the office.
Now at 10:20am, the skies are gray and the wind has picked up. I’m watching the flags over Hoy’s 5 & 10 in Avalon – surprised they didn’t take them down, yet glad for an easy reference of the wind direction!
Based on current weather reports, we are feeling a bit more optimistic about this incredible storm. That doesn’t mean we won’t evacuate…just that I won’t have a complete nervous breakdown while away (well, maybe).
Will post a few more Avalon and Stone Harbor pictures on Twitter before I leave. And then will wait and pace until we are permitted to return.
Local contractors have crews on their construction sites today to stabilize and secure the many new job starts.  Extra lumber has been added (cross bars) to the framing, and loose materials stored.  Hopefully the Porta Potties will be hauled away, too!
As I walked by this ocean front house in Stone Harbor, I thought it would be helpful to explain that its condition has nothing to do with Sandy. A demolition sale took place last week and obviously, someone purchased the sliding glass door and much of the interior components. The house is scheduled to be torn down this week.
Just didn’t want this pre-demolition look to become labeled as a post-Sandy look!
We noticed the trucks with  snow plows just before “Irene”, too. The purpose (certainly not for snow!): to move debris and/or sand from the streets and near beach paths after the storm.
The island is very active today with owners in town preparing their properties. Avalon Coffee and Wawa have a steady flow of customers- as well as Hoy’s and Seashore Ace.
Effective tomorrow, there is a mandatory evacuation of all New Jersey coastal communities. It’s very hard to leave my “home”, yet foolish to think I can out wit Mother Nature by staying on the island.
Will continue to post here and on Twitter…
Coming down tomorrow to prep your shore house? Besides the obvious of securing the outdoor furniture and trash cans:
Lock all windows and doors (casement windows can rattle open in the wind if not locked).
Empty the ice maker bin (in case the power goes out).
Turn off circuit breakers for non-essential appliances/electronics.
Turn off the fireplace gas pilot.
Secure the outside shower door.
Walk on the beach…smell the salt air…and convince Sandy to stay out to sea!
Hey Sandy…what’s the deal? This is our quiet off season. We don’t need all of this commotion 😉
Unfortunately, the storm track looks serious for Cape May County, especially the island communities. Â
Will post more updates as we know more. In the meantime, it’s a beautiful day at the shore! Crazy…
Although it makes sense to be prepared, we are always concerned about the “hype” common with impending bad weather.
If you have a shore house, take the time to secure the outdoor furniture, grill, trash cans, etc. Thankfully, that’s normal procedure for this time of year anyway.
If your neighborhood tends to flood, make sure there is nothing in the crawl space area or garage that could be damaged.
And then follow along here and on Twitter for real time updates.
P.S. Borough of Avalon Emergency Management- web site
The vacation home market continues to thrive.Â
In the last 30 days, 39 properties SOLD (settlement) in Avalon and Stone Harbor, with a median selling price of $1,030,000.
From that total, 11 condo/townhouse units sold, ranging from $500,000 for an ocean view 2 bed/2bath unit in Golden Shores; to $1,300,000 for an ocean front townhouse style unit on 28th Street and the boardwalk.
26 single family homes sold, ranging from $525,000 for a basic rancher on 78th Street (across from the Concord Suites), to $5,325,000 for an ocean front home on 109th Street (will be torn down). The median selling price for single family homes: $1,325,000.
There were 2 multi-family properties sold- a duplex on 99th Street for $682,600, and a four-plex on 30th Street for $850,000 (both sold for land value).
In addition, there are 71 properties sale pending, with settlement scheduled to occur within the next few months.
If you would like more details regarding market values in Avalon or Stone Harbor, please let me know ann@anndelaney.com  I appreciate your interest!
Add this to your “To Do” list: turn off the outside water at your shore house.
The plumbing for the outside shower WILL freeze and crack if not properly winterized. Many home owners do this themselves by shutting off the valve in the crawl space, and then removing the cartridge in the shower and allowing the water to drain.
Two other important items: 1) Even if you have a frost free hose bib outside, remove the hose from the faucet when not in use. Water will freeze in the hose and push ice up into the faucet and crack the pipe. 2) Faucets on upper decks are typically NOT frost free, and the therefore subject to freezing. Drain those faucets with the valve in the crawl space.
FYI- we typically experience our first “freeze” by late November.Â
If you need a recommendation for a plumber to help with these tasks, please let me know. ann@anndelaney.com
Feeling Sick
Hard to maintain my optimism while viewing the many awful pictures posted on Twitter and Facebook.
Glad for the connections to know what’s happening…I think.
Trying to maintain perspective- objects/property versus safety. But it’s SO hard not to dwell on the potential loss.