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Hurricane Irene

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Superstorm Shines A Light On Power Grid Vulnerabilities

A street light and utility pole brought down by Hurricane Sandy lay on the street in Avalon, N.J. About 2.5 million customers had no power Tuesday in New Jersey. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Superstorm Shines A Light On Power Grid Vulnerabilities

October 30, 2012 • Sandy, which knocked out power to some 8 million people in 18 states, painted a bull's-eye on the oldest and most fragile part of the nation's power grid. Engineering experts say the grid is inherently vulnerable even as damaging weather events seem to be occurring more frequently.

NPR Public Editor

Hurricane Irene Coverage: Hype or Helpful?

September 2, 2011 • We're with the East Coast whiners. There was serious impact. But the talk of the nation remains divided on the news media's handling.

Gulf Coast Soaking Starts, Other States Still Recovering From Irene

Here comes TD 13. NOAA GOES-13 satellite/AP hide caption

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NOAA GOES-13 satellite/AP

The Two-Way

Gulf Coast Soaking Starts, Other States Still Recovering From Irene

September 2, 2011 • While hundreds of thousands of people are still working to recover from last weekend's major weather event (Hurricane Irene) residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and neighboring states are preparing for a tropical storm.

The Two-Way

Ron Paul's Wrong About FEMA, Vermont Governor Says

September 1, 2011 • "Look in the eyes of Vermonters who've lost their homes, who've lost their businesses, who've seen their husbands and children killed by the storm and see the kind of response that FEMA is giving us," says Democrat Peter Shumlin.

Blog Of The Nation

September 1st: What's On Today's Show

September 1, 2011 • In the first hour of Talk of the Nation, the future of Afghanistan, and the media coverage of Hurricane Irene. In the second hour, the author of Blur talks about the blurred line between news and spin, and what can be learned from romantic comedies.

How Bad Was The Disaster? Check The 'Waffle House Index'

If the lights are still out, that's bad news. A Waffle House restaurant in Atlanta. (2006 photo.) AP hide caption

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The Two-Way

How Bad Was The Disaster? Check The 'Waffle House Index'

September 1, 2011 • FEMA chief tells The Wall Street Journal that one way to gauge a disaster's damage is to track how quickly Waffle House restaurants reopen.

In Vermont, Rough Roads Reconnected To All But One Community

Some of the damage: Route 107 near Bethel, Vt. Chip Allen/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Allen/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In Vermont, Rough Roads Reconnected To All But One Community

August 31, 2011 • At this point the roads are only for use by emergency vehicles and National Guard delivery trucks. Helicopters will continue to bring supplies to stricken communities.

twitter.com/ElBloombito

The Two-Way

Mucho Congratos To 'ElBloombito'

August 31, 2011 • When the New York City mayor switched to Spanish during his Hurricane Irene-related news conferences, many found his efforts rather amusing. And they've flocked to Twitter to have some fun at his expense. Bloomberg, or @ElBloombito, is OK with that.

Rebuilding After Irene Is Not Going To Boost The Economy

In Pompton Lakes, N.J., earlier this week, Gino Borova stood in the driveway of his house — which was flooded by water from the Ramapo River. Julio Cortez/AP hide caption

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Julio Cortez/AP

The Two-Way

Rebuilding After Irene Is Not Going To Boost The Economy

August 31, 2011 • The idea that money spent on fixing the billions in damages will be good for the overall economy is known as the "broken window fallacy," Planet Money's Adam Davidson says. In reality, spending is just shifted around.

Steve Inskeep and Adam Davidson on Irene's economic effects

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The Two-Way

Irene's Deadly Toll Rises; 40 Confirmed Deaths

August 30, 2011 • Meanwhile, flood waters are still rising in several Northeastern states. Vermont has been hit particularly hard.

Brian Mann in northern New York State

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The Two-Way

Irene's Toll: At Least 35 Deaths In 10 States

August 29, 2011 • Falling trees and downed power lines played roles in many of the deaths. Other victims drowned.

Through Irene, Old Guard Stood Watch At Tomb Of The Unknowns

On guard during Irene at the Tomb of the Unknowns. 3rd U.S. INF Regiment The Old Guard hide caption

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3rd U.S. INF Regiment The Old Guard

The Two-Way

Through Irene, Old Guard Stood Watch At Tomb Of The Unknowns

August 29, 2011 • As they did during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, the Washington-area blizzards in 2009-10 and other extreme weather events, soldiers of The Old Guard continued to march at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns.

Before And After Irene, Ron Paul's No Fan Of FEMA

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans on June 17, 2011. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Before And After Irene, Ron Paul's No Fan Of FEMA

August 29, 2011 • "It's a system of bureaucratic central economic planning, which is a policy that is deeply flawed," the congressman and Republican presidential candidate says.

It's All Politics

Hurricane Irene Leaves Politicians' Careers Intact

August 29, 2011 • So far as we know, know prominent politicians along the East Coast appear to have weathered Hurricane Irene; it doesn't appear Irene has harmed any of their careers like Hurricane Katrina hurt others. They appear to have learned the 2005 hurricane's lessons well.

The Two-Way

VIDEO: Firefighters Save Couple From Flooded SUV In Vermont

August 29, 2011 • Among the many photos and videos taken by people up and down the East during and after Hurricane Irene passed through are three clips from Mount Holly, Vt., where local firefighters rescued a couple from their vehicle.

Irene: Maybe Not The Storm Of The Century, But Lots Of Damage

Flooding Sunday in Waitsfield, Vt. Sandy Macys/AP hide caption

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Sandy Macys/AP

The Two-Way

Irene: Maybe Not The Storm Of The Century, But Lots Of Damage

August 29, 2011 • She wasn't the storm of the century and many beach towns were stunned by how lucky they were. But Irene also led to more than 20 deaths, cut the power to more than 5 million homes and businesses and caused an estimated $7 billion in damages.

NPR's Larry Abramson

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Though Worst Of Irene Over, Flooding Still A Concern

Water sits on the streets of Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood on Sunday. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Though Worst Of Irene Over, Flooding Still A Concern

August 28, 2011 • Now just a tropical storm, Irene pummeled New York and the Northeast Coast with intense wind and rain. But speaking on Sunday, President Obama said areas are still at risk of flooding and urged people to continue to listen to the guidance of their state and local officials in the coming days.

Some New Yorkers Look On Irene's Bright Side

People stand in line at a Trader Joe's Wine Shop in Manhattan Friday, ahead of Hurricane Irene's arrival in New York City this weekend. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images