Hurricane Irene

Since the big corporations that have been getting tax breaks to create jobs clearly are not doing so, perhaps they could use the money to help clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Jennifer Cleanthous, Baltimore

Steven Grossman's op-ed ("Hurricane Irene: an almighty wind? Sept. 1) should be savored, but, of course, Hurricane Irene did carry a message. That message is conveyed most clearly if it is combined with the evidence carried by other phenomena such as recent wildfires in Texas, the flooding of much of Pakistan, drought in the American Southwest, drought in Russia leading to a rise in food prices worldwide, melting glaciers, the disappearance of the...

The Bellevederes performing last Saturday at the Ottobar as part of the Baltimore Independent Music and Arts Festival, which apparently did not cancel any shows because of Hurricane Irene . The photo was taken by Flickr user @fwredelius . To see your nightlife and music photos on Midnight Sun, join our flickr pool or e-mail me directly.

Marylanders began cleaning up from Hurricane Irene this morning but mostly the state emerged from the storm without significant damage or widespread flooding, as feared. Emergency officials cautioned that high winds are expected throughout the day as the storm hit New York City. They said Irene could still lead to more downed trees and power lines. And flooding in many areas, from Baltimore to the Eastern Shore, still remains possible with continued storm surges. One death was reported in a house collapse in Queen Anne's County, and state officials are on their way this morning to southern Maryland to assess the St. Mary's Lake Dam, where they are worried it could fail.

If a hurricane threatens to barrel up the Chesapeake Bay in the next month, many Marylanders will watch the forecast with dread. Memories of spending days without power after Hurricane Irene and the June derecho are fresh and painful. Utilities such as Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. watch the forecast, too, readying forces to assess and repair damage to the grid. To many angry customers, though, utilities' preparations appeared to be lacking in recent storms. But what if there was a way to accurately pinpoint how many power outages a storm might cause?

Reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, a TV news program showed video of the U.S. flag, flapping atop its pole at the Capitol. It had been torn nearly lengthwise twice. Besides on public grounds, the flag is prominently displayed by businesses and on private property by homeowners often, too, regardless of the weather. Inconvenience, disinterest or obliviousness is probably why. As for the one at the Capitol, it is ignored, along with the Constitution it represents.

Regarding BGE's restoration of electrical service after Hurricane Irene, I think I speak for many BGE customers when I say we understand the company's frustration: We appreciate their sending us our latest bill, which is very important to us and will be paid in the order in which all our other bills were received. Be assured that we will do everything in our power to pay it soon. We thank BGE for their continued patience. George Emil

Gov. Martin O'Malley just declared a state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Irene, which could dump as much as a foot of rain on Maryland this weekend. The executive order signed by the governor activates the state national guard and puts the Maryland Emergency Management Agency into high gear. The governor plans to give a news conference from the MEMA headquarters inReisterstown later this afternoon. States up and down the eastern seaboard are preparing for the storm, the first to threaten Maryland this year.

Remember the municipal panic that set in when flooding from Hurricane Irene put a stall in the delivery of Berger Cookies. It just goes to show you, you can never be too prepared. Berger Cookies are available for ordering online, packed in two-pound decorative tins for $20.99. Consider this a slam-dunk Christmas gift. Although, frankly, I'm not so sure about those decorative tins.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has added Baltimore and Baltimore County to the list of 13 Maryland counties eligible for federal disaster assistance in the wake of Hurricane Irene. FEMA and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency said the federal aid will support local recovery expenditures by state and local governments and some private, non-profit organizations. Eligible work includes the replacement and repair damaged roads, bridges, buildings, utilities, recreation areas and other public facilities.