On Ice

[tom4018]

I won't argue with that! We got slammed, and this isn't the worst area. I'm in central Ky. West of us got it even worse. We have trees down everywhere, power out to many, kerosene, gasoline, and diesel in short supply. The stations that have it are among those without power. Motels that have power are slammed.

First estimates were somewhere between 600,000 and 800,000 without power. Latest numbers are down to somewhere around 450,000. MAny are 3 to 5 weeks from getting powered up again. Domestic water supplies are effected. Pumping stations and treatment plants are without power. Big generators are in short supply due the the extensive area effected. So now water systems are running at low pressure and at risk of contamination.

Out of state utility crews are pouring in, but we're still having NEW damage. Trees are still falling. Temps are supposed to go above freezing today and tomorrow, but more snow (and possibly more freezing rain) is in mondays forecast.

Personally, we had several large tree limbs go down on the house. Luckily, no apparent damage. Our road was blocked with downed power lines for 2 days. After those were removed, I cleared the road of snow and ice. We lost power 3 times for less than an hour total. I understand we were one of less than 100 homes in the immediate are to remain powered up. For that I'm most thankful.

All this and we were just now getting cleaned up from Sept 14th. (Hurricane Ike)

Yesterday, we managed to get all the downed trees around the house sawed up and moved. A couple 75+ y.o. oak trees will need to come down after the weather breaks. (split to to bottom)

So.... in just over 4 months, we've had the 2 worst power outages in our states history.

We got it pretty bad here in Butler county, near Morgantown. Muhlenberg got it real bad. Been without power since Tuesday, running on backup power. Just amazes me what you see lines for, laundry mats, kerosene, 1 hour wait to get a chain saw chain, propane, etc.

Business that normally close at 12 on Sat stayed open all day and taody to fill lp tanks and other things. We survive pretty well as far as damage, mostly trees and limbs down in fields and not much fence damage. Ground is in bad shape due to all the precipitation crews are having a hard time getting in to fix the lines. They say over a 1,000 poles broke in our coop. Crews are here from everywhere.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

We got it pretty bad here in Butler county, near Morgantown. Muhlenberg got it real bad. Been without power since Tuesday, running on backup power. Just amazes me what you see lines for, laundry mats, kerosene, 1 hour wait to get a chain saw chain, propane, etc.

Business that normally close at 12 on Sat stayed open all day and taody to fill lp tanks and other things. We survive pretty well as far as damage, mostly trees and limbs down in fields and not much fence damage. Ground is in bad shape due to all the precipitation crews are having a hard time getting in to fix the lines. They say over a 1,000 poles broke in our coop. Crews are here from everywhere.

A good friend grew up near Morgantown. His parents still live there. Ed drove down over the weekend to help them get cleaned up. I haven't heard from him yet, so I hope everything is OK with the folks.

After 2 days of thawing, the ice is off trees and power lines, most trees have sprung back to their original shape. That aught to allow utility crews to make more headway.

Without getting "political", I'm sure disappointed in FEMA and their disregard for the people of this state. Word is, most everyone here "makes too much money" to qualify for their assistance. National Gaurd units have been called up and they're doing a great job. They're clearing debris, hauling in food and water, supplying generators, manning traffic control (many traffic lights out in key locations still) transporting people to shelters, and in general, giving people the confidence that SOMEONE still cares. (even if it isn't the federal government)

Generators are at a premium. I've seen adds on Craigslist that are double or triple the retail price for some. A buddy runs a shop where they sell chainsaws, generators, (and lawn equipment) ect. He's been getting semi loads of generators in almost every day. They're sold in advance, before the truck even hits the parking lot. Simple items like plastic gas cans are in short supply.

On a personal note, I've got all the downed trees around the house sawn up and removed, trees trimmed where limbs were hanging down, and everything inspected for damage. (None to report thankfully) I used this situation as my excuse to buy a Stihl 131 "pole saw" 12' extention chain saw. It's all that AND a bag of chips! Gonna put it to good use from now on.

Come on SPRINGTIME.....