DescriptionColor photos, seven, of preparation in Hoboken for Tropical Storm or Hurricane Irene, Saturday, August 26, 2011. Digital images only. Photos 1 to 4 were Shipyard Lane preparations at Sparrow Wine & Liquors; Hoboken Historical Museum, Rite Aid. Plywood applied to windows of Rite Aid and Sparrow's. Museum doors taped and barrier at ground level. Photos 5 + 6 were of boarded up windows at Helmer's Restaurant at southwest corner Note the spray painted message "Open" with a smiley face. Photo 7 is a view of Maxwell's at the the southeast corner of Washington and Eleventh Streets. Note the windows are taped. In December 2011, National Weather Service downgraded the landing of Irene from a hurricane to tropical storm in New Jersey and New York. Disaster Preparedness