NASA has released this true-color satellite image of New York Harbor. It usually is full of crap, but this photo shows a lot more. All that vomiting green and brown you see? It's the effect of Hurricane Irene.

This seems lifted from The Onion but it's not. According to the WSJ, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate uses a 'Waffle House Index' to help him determine how destructive a hurricane has been to an area. If a Waffle House is closed, you're probably screwed.

As I woke up Sunday morning in NYC after Hurricane Irene, I was disappointed. Why? Because naively, I wanted to see what a "real" hurricane looked like. Now that I've seen these before and after pictures, I'm embarrassed for feeling like that. The pictures are gut wrenching.

What would you do if you woke up after Irene and saw your entire town had been flooded? Check your basement? Call friends and see if they're okay? Hell no, brah—get out the jet ski and get x-treme.

Strangely enough, Tropical Storm Irene brought out not one, but two examples of storm beasts. The latest being to drum up the internet's cryptozoological side is this marsupial-rat-dog-lizard. What is this being? My guess: the gangster rat from those crazy-ass Fletcher Hanks comics.

When hurricane Irene failed to flood Manhattan as predicted over the weekend, many called the evacuation an overreaction to media hype - one local told the New York Times he was "embarrassed." But scientists and civil engineers say the city's response made good sense.

Though New York City largely managed to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Irene, the windy bitch still managed to strip the soul of the city that never sleeps. Watch it. It was like a post-apocalyptic city evaporated of life and people.

So Hurricane Irene was a major letdown to some people. Why did that weather dude make you evacuate, anyway?

Yesterday, Spider-Man inexplicably went down to Hampton, Virginia to surf during the middle of Hurricane Irene. His motivation? To show people that a costume and a good attitude can conquer extreme weather. Or something. My favorite part of this clip is when he jogs off as fast as a spider can.

Look, if you're getting pelted in the face with bad-smelling, bad-tasting "organic material," maybe it's time to pack up and take it to the studio, yeah? Poor Tucker Barnes learned that the hard way in Ocean City, MD, where he got covered head-to-toe in sea foam probably caused by raw sewage backup from Hurricane…

These former oil rig rafts now, somehow, serve as hotel rooms for the nautically inclined. Owned by one Denis Oudendijk, these little escape pods float in a canal near the Hague and can support up to three people.

Should Hurricane Irene's impending deluge flood New York City subways, we may see a swarm of rats take to the streets in numbers not seen since the heyday of Hamelin.

People watching the Weather Channel just got a treat. During Eric Fisher's dispatch from Virginia beach, a few bros sailed across the screen. One of whom flashed his dick for all to see. Really?? [Village Voice, Mediaite]

After Hurricane Irene made landfall early this morning, she proceeded to plow her way up north, taking power lines out with her. Check back here for updates and video as the storm continues on its path of destruction.

I have to admit. Despite some widespread panic, the first ever evacuation of NYC, and the threat of billions of dollars being lost, part of me wouldn't be surprised if Irene just struck us a glancing blow. That perception gap is a problem.

Like its more expensive cousin, the F-35, America's F-22 fighter fleet at Langley Air Force Base has been grounded due to malfunctioning parts. Surprise! Not at all. But they're taking to the skies again!—just to avoid a hurricane.

Want to know why cell networks got clogged and choked during the earthquake? A one minute phone call is 460,800% larger than a single text. So with our next natural disaster this week, use SMS. For everyone's sake.

People of New Jersey loitering on the beaches! Your Governor Chris Christie has some very good advice for you. Stop working on your tan and get the Hell off the beach! That goes for you too, Snookie!

Emergency radio during a hurricane is undeniably fascinating (and potentially life-saving). But you need to know where to listen. You Are Listening To tracks emergency radio for you, combining it with ambient music for a mesmerizing, if creepy, experience.

Well, Hurricane Irene is here, which means much the East Coast should be prepared for the worst. We ran this Toolkit earlier in the week in wake of the earthquake. But it's just as useful for hurricanes.