Sky Watch - Clock and wires

The skies have been beautiful recently, but the times are changing. The 5.8 magnitude earthquake caused very little damage in our area. In fact, Marianne and I did not feel it. There was more damage in and near Washington, DC. The various transportation departments did quick work of inspecting roads, rails and bridges and found no problems. Some chimneys and brick walls collapsed, especially on older, historic houses. Schools in the area were being inspected for structural damage and minor damage repaired. Damage is more extensive in Virginia near the epicenter, but there was no loss of life.

Hurricane Irene is scheduled to visit us Sunday. The present course will cause major damage along the Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware coasts then continue up through New York and New England. Here we should only get some high wind and rain. The beaches will take a pounding and coastal flooding is expected.