The Schuylkill River is expected to crest tonight and into tomorrow morning at about 15 feet, its highest level since 1869, according to local authorities. It is already lapping at the Schuylkill Expressway across from Center City and has overrun its banks in some places. This shot was taken at about 3 p.m. today from the South Street Bridge.

The CVS at 43rd and Locust is not the place to go if you are on a last-minute hunt for batteries or water. They do have plenty of over-priced aromatic candles left though.
 

 
It looks like we are going to get hit pretty hard by the fast-approaching Hurricane Irene. Weather folks are saying it could be the worst to hit the East Coast in 50 years.

We are not trying to scare anyone, but high winds, power outages and flooding are very possible, so it’s never a bad idea to be prepared for the storm, which is due to reach the Philly area on Sunday morning. The following information, including the hurricane preparedness list, was originally posted on the UCNeighbors listserv by neighbor Robin who kindly allowed us to re-publish it here. Thanks Robin!

“I grew up in Tidewater Va. Damage is unpredictable. We won’t have storm surge (which washes away homes on the coast) but I believe we will have some flooding as predicted. If your basement gets wet, or was wet in the last 5″-6” of rain I would buy a pump now and have it on hand.

The winds predicted will bring down trees and we have large ones and wet ground. So we will have electricity out somewhere. Some people will have damage to their roofs. I think it is smart to bring in trash cans, lawn furniture, potted plants etc., they will blow around. With our old roofs you might want the trash can in the house to catch water if you spring a leak.

I think it is also smart to make sure the weep holes in your storm windows are clear. The wind drives rain in at odd angles and water might come in places where you might not expect. Hurricanes can spark tornadoes, you should listen to a battery operated radio.

My prep list:

1. Batteries for a radio and flashlights.

2. Bring in backyard items

3. Non-perishable food. I am also cooking a dish or two and freezing them. If the power goes out I will let them thaw and heat them in a chaffing dish. I am going to buy a bag of ice before the storm to put in the freezer to extend the cooling time.

4. Some bottled water, you most likely won’t need it. Sometimes water treatment can
get overwhelmed and you need potable water. Sometimes flooding breaks water mains.

5. Charge your cell phones. Your laptops. Toothbrush:) etc.

6. Put gas in your car for emergencies.

7. Buy a sheet of plastic to protect the floor if there are leaks. Try to prevent
leaks before they happen.

8. Bring in pets.

Also, Robin adds, make sure you have enough medications in case you need them.

While sitting at the kitchen just before 2 p.m. today we heard a glass start to move. We figured since it was garbage day on our block that the truck was coming through. Or our dog fell off the couch. Maybe someone moving in next door. Nope, it was an earthquake.

Folks in West Philly were among millions to feel the effect of an earthquake that rolled up the East Coast just before 2 p.m. today. Buildings in Center City were evacuated.

SEPTA sent out a warning that trains and subways would be up to 15 minutes behind schedule. Fire and police crews scoured the city for structural damage and gas leaks. Police asked that people only call 911 for an emergency.

The quake was reportedly felt as far north as Rhode Island.

PhillyCarShare is ending its experiment as a nonprofit and has been sold to Enterprise Holdings, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Many neighbors are probably wondering what will happen to the PhillyCarShare membership and its fleet (26 locations in West Philly) once the sale is finalized. According to Enterprise officials, they are going to retain the PhillyCarShare name, its 25 employees and even expand the fleet, which has been shrinking since 2009.

There was no mention of whether this transaction will affect membership fees and other rates. Currently, a PhillyCarShare residential member pays $15/month ($125/year), $0.25/mile, and hourly rates begin at $4.45.

The Inky quotes PhillyCarShare executive director Gerald Furgione:

“Enterprise definitely saved us. The only thing we regret is that we will no longer be a nonprofit.”

A bill for $2.7 million in back taxes and penalties has apparently led to the sale.

The debate over whether car sharing firms should be treated the same as regular car rental firms, which pay an excise tax in most states for each car rented, has been heating up in recent years and may be behind the sale as well.

Here is some more information on yesterday’s announcement that the U.S. Postal Service will begin considering closing thousands of post offices nationwide, including several in West Philly.

Just to recap, the West Philly locations under consideration include:

• 30th Street Train Station
• West Market – 5011 Sansom
• West Park – 5300 W. Jefferson St.
• Kingsessing – 5311 Florence Ave.
• Overbrook – 658 N. 63rd St.

Post Office officials said no final decision on closures will be made before December.

One way that the Post Office will compensate areas affected by the closures will be small retail locations called Village Post Offices that will be located in pharmacies, grocery stores and other large retail locations. These could include collections boxes, stamps, pre-paid Flat Rate boxes and envelopes and, in some locations, post office boxes.

But that leaves many questions about mail service. It’s clear that many post offices will be closed. Around here, we are wondering how much pressure this will put on the post office near 40th and Locust (228 S. 40th). The big, shiny new main post office at 30th and Chestnut will likely get more action too.