Hurricane Irene: She came. She saw. She blew. She sucked? In the wake of Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene, people have been expressing their displeasure with the way this natural disaster panned out. Apparently, we’re now so bitter as a society that we’re wishing greater harm upon ourselves. That’s a little sick, no?
After days of preparation, there is still a lot of damage to deal with in the aftermath of the storm. So, for all of you Irene naysayers, consider these facts. Across the Eastern Seaboard, millions of people are without power. As of this morning, at least 21 people have lost their lives. We’re looking at estimated property losses of $7 billion.
UPDATE (1:10 PM): The property losses could actually run as high as $13 billion, meaning that total economic losses could reach $14 billion to $26 billion (because “the rule of thumb is that total economic losses are equal to about twice property losses”). See this interesting post, entitled “How Irene Lived Up to the Hype,” by Nate Silver.
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In the legal world, we know that it pays to be prepared, but there are some things that we just can’t work around….
What can’t lawyers work around? The Connecticut Bar Association emailed members today, for example, to report that there are several courthouses still without power (full message reprinted below).
Come on, did you really think that we were going to litigate with flashlights in hand? We’re sure that Connecticut isn’t the only state where courthouses are without power, so the wheels of justice might be turning a little bit more slowly today.
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But fear not, because when the power is turned back on, lawyers will be there to do battle with insurance companies over covering your losses.
So, readers, how did you fare against the wrath of Irene? Did you travel to work by inflatable raft this morning, or are you just annoyed with your leaky window (like me)?
If you have any interesting Hurricane Irene stories, please feel free to send them our way. You can post a comment on this thread; you can email us, at [email protected] (subject: “Hurricane Irene”); or you can text us (646-820-8477 / 646-820-TIPS).
Hurricane Irene [In Focus / The Atlantic]
Irene moves to Canada as US counts cost [Yahoo! News]
Live blog: Death toll now at 21 after flood washes woman in Vermont away [This Just In / CNN]
Hurricane Irene Kills 15 and Leaves 4 Million Without Power [San Francisco Chronicle]
Irene Leaves Nearly 3 Million Without Power [WCBV Boston]
Homes Destroyed, People Missing And 767,000 Without Power After Irene [Hartford Courant]
Hurricane Irene: The Looming Insurance Battle [WSJ Law Blog]
Property Damage and Casualty Losses After Irene [Forbes]
Earlier: How Is the Legal World Preparing for Hurricane Irene? Open Thread
CONNECTICUT BAR ASSOCIATION — MEMORANDUM — COURTHOUSE POWER OUTAGES
The Judicial Branch has posted the following information regarding the Judicial Branch facilities that do not have power and will be closed today.
As of 7:15 a.m. the following is a list of Judicial Branch facilities that presently do not have power that we are aware of. This list will be updated regularly.
All Judicial Branch employees should check the website by 9 a.m. If your work site is listed as being closed at 9 a.m. and you are not a Judicial Marshal or a maintenance staff member who must report, do not report to work.
Tolland Judicial District Courthouse
69 Brooklyn Street
Rockville
GA 11 in Danielson
120 School Street
Danielson
Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse
15 West Street
Litchfield
New London Judicial District Courthouse
70 Huntington Street
New London
GA 10 at New London
112 Broad Street
New London
Willimantic Juvenile Courthouse
81 Columbia Avenue
Willimantic
Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center and Courthouse
60 Housatonic Avenue
Bridgeport
Middletown Juvenile Courthouse
230 Main Street
Middletown
Administrative offices at:
225 Spring Street, Wethersfield
936 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield
Warehouse at Hammer Mill, Rocky Hill