Harlem Pre Irene

New York City is a strange beast.  Hurricane Irene is approaching and some people act as though it's the end of the world.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't be prepared nor should the local, state and federal agency not give people as much information as possible, to prepare themselves, but at what point does it become overkill?

I ran a few errands on 125 Street and it's a ghost town.  It was a very unsettling and eerie feeling.  Harlem is a vibrant community and I'm accustomed to seeing 125 Street bustling with people and businesses, especially on a Saturday.

Today there its a different story, opposite of any other saturday.  Very few pedestrians, many stores closed, no street vendors nor is there much vehicular traffic. 

A Harlem resident of visitor will tell you 125 is the heart of Harlem and todays street-life is just sad.

I don't things will be as bad a predicted.  But in any event you should all be prepared for the unpredictable.