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Power outage in the NE US. Share your experience.

Author
Olleybear
Infinite Point
Pandemic Horde
#1 - 2012-07-08 21:55:22 UTC
For those that don't know. On June 29'th, a wonderfully violent storm blew through the NE part of the US and knocked out power in multiple states. Straight line winds around 80mph ( 129kpm ) knocked over tree, power lines, blew off shingles and siding on houses and barns, and bent some of the larger freeway signs. Joy.

Sharing some of my experiences and hope to see some others share theirs who were affected by the storm.

First off, in my area we had record temperatures during all of this. 100F ( 37C ) \o/

Saw the storm on radar rolling across my entire state 1/2 hour before it hit my location. Was able to fill a few water jugs, get the vehicle parked in the garage, and emergency supplies in the basement by the time the storm hit. Trees were being bent at angles I was certain they were going to break in half and some trees behind the house blew over. Chicken coup was flipped upside down by the wind. Luckily not a single chicken was lost, though they were drenched by the rain and happy to get put back in the coup once it was flipped upright. Every house, except mine luckily, had some wind damage. From shingles and siding being blown off to garage doors caved in, and / or trees falling on their house. It was amazing to see.

Right after the storm, 50,000 of the 65,000 people serviced by American Electric Power in my county alone were without power. The next morning, there were long lines stretching 1/4 mile down the road in all directions at the gas stations in my county as only 4 gas stations had power and were able to sell gasoline. The county north of me had 1 single gas station with power and they sold out of their gas by noon. Most banks didn't have any power and those who needed cash were unable to get it. All of the ice in my county was sold out that morning as well.

Took American Electric Power 4 days to get the number of people without power to around 25,000 to 30,000. Just got my power back this past Friday. Some people are still without power, though 95% of people who didn't have power now do have it back.

During my 8 days without power:

The biggest concern was water. No electric and no generator = no power to run the water well pump. As mentioned above, I was able to fill some water jugs shortly before the storm hit. Something that really helped was the 50gallon rain barrel I purchased the week prior, but water was still a concern. Didn't run out of water and still had nearly 65% of the water in my rain barrel left when power was restored, but now thinking of having a shallower well dug so I can use a hand water well pump ( current well is 180ft deep ). Barely any rain to speak of to refresh water supplies and the water in the creek was low, stagnant, 100ft away from the house down a 20ft embankment. Nice...

Taking a 'bath' out of a small bowel twice a day makes a person appreciate a nice shower in ways you will never understand until you are unable to take a shower for over a week.

Small 1 gallon propane cylinders attached to a small camp stove were what I used to boil water and cook some food daily. Big charcoal grill was used to cook other meat, but you just cant eat it all fast enough before it goes bad.

Being a hobbiest prepper of sorts, the week without has made me rethink my water plan. Probably going to spend the money on the second well and hand powered water pump and my number one priority.

What has your experience been with the storm?

When it comes to PvP, I am like a chiwawa hanging from a grizzley bears pair of wrinklies for dear life.

Surfin's PlunderBunny
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#2 - 2012-07-08 22:07:59 UTC
I live in Alabama, screw you northern hippies. You don't deserve power Pirate

Also it was 106 here Cool

"Little ginger moron" ~David Hasselhoff 

Want to see what Surf is training or how little isk Surf has?  http://eveboard.com/pilot/Surfin%27s_PlunderBunny

Shalia Ripper
#3 - 2012-07-08 22:30:35 UTC  |  Edited by: Shalia Ripper
OMG, I hope you had a long skill in queue.

Humans lived for quite some time without electricity. You should be able to deal for a few days.

P.S. With an electric powered pump in your well, perhaps a small solar panel would be a good idea.

Sig blah blah blah blah

Olleybear
Infinite Point
Pandemic Horde
#4 - 2012-07-08 22:43:31 UTC
Shalia Ripper wrote:
OMG, I hope you had a long skill in queue.

Humans lived for quite some time without electricity. You should be able to deal for a few days.

P.S. With an electric powered pump in your well, perhaps a small solar panel would be a good idea.


Yes, I was able to deal with it for a few days and I do realize that humans were able to live without electricity.

What I am trying to get started is a conversation about how others dealt with it because I am curious about their ideas and preparations. Thanks for the solar panel idea, I may consider it.

Speaking of solar panels, the little solar powered yard lights make some great indoor light when brought in at night. Better than candles if you have the right ones. They have little AA Nicad rechargables in them so you can even put them in a small flashlight if needed.

And lol at Surfins PlunderBunny comment.

When it comes to PvP, I am like a chiwawa hanging from a grizzley bears pair of wrinklies for dear life.

Kirjava
Lothian Enterprises
#5 - 2012-07-08 23:04:18 UTC
Shalia Ripper wrote:
OMG, I hope you had a long skill in queue.Twisted
Humans lived for quite some time without electricity. You should be able to deal for a few days.

P.S. With an electric powered pump in your well, perhaps a small solar panel would be a good idea.


As he stated with regards to wind damage, most likely the solar pannel would be mounted on his roof and taken out during the storm.

Given his need for power in such an event, and it sounds like he has a basement and some land to play with (British flats are tiny compared to American homes) I would probably have a diesel generator in the basement and pipe in and out air and exhaust. I plan on doing this when I get my own place in a decade or so (I hope).

UPS for the house in lead batteries and an emergency diesel generator plus solar panels, I will rule as a king after the Event .

[center]Haruhiists - Overloading Out of Pod discussions since 2007. /人◕‿‿◕人\ Unban Saede![/center]

Caleidascope
Republic Military School
Minmatar Republic
#6 - 2012-07-08 23:38:43 UTC
Kirjava wrote:
Shalia Ripper wrote:
OMG, I hope you had a long skill in queue.Twisted
Humans lived for quite some time without electricity. You should be able to deal for a few days.

P.S. With an electric powered pump in your well, perhaps a small solar panel would be a good idea.


As he stated with regards to wind damage, most likely the solar pannel would be mounted on his roof and taken out during the storm.

Given his need for power in such an event, and it sounds like he has a basement and some land to play with (British flats are tiny compared to American homes) I would probably have a diesel generator in the basement and pipe in and out air and exhaust. I plan on doing this when I get my own place in a decade or so (I hope).

UPS for the house in lead batteries and an emergency diesel generator plus solar panels, I will rule as a king after the Event .

Be careful where you put the generator. I was watching a program about the tsunami in Japan and the nuc power plant melt down, one thing that was pointed out, was that at least some of their emergency power generators, that were needed for pumps, were below ground and got flooded.

We have been without power from Friday to Sunday (June 29 to July 1), then again July 5 to July 6. Also a bunch of branches and some trees fell from the really strong winds. Not happy days were those, let me tell you.

So Pa is thinking of getting generator too. To, at least, run fridge in the house and the freezer in the basement. We are thinking to put it in a little shack tucked next to the house on the side of the house where we do not have trees.

Life is short and dinner time is chancy

Eat dessert first!

Surfin's PlunderBunny
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#7 - 2012-07-09 00:04:15 UTC
I try Big smile

I recommend camping lights, like this one http://www.smart-camping-guide.com/image-files/camping_lights.jpg

Once charged it'll run for 12 hours+, more if you have an awesome car battery jumper battery with the car lighter dohickey hole Blink

"Little ginger moron" ~David Hasselhoff 

Want to see what Surf is training or how little isk Surf has?  http://eveboard.com/pilot/Surfin%27s_PlunderBunny

Olleybear
Infinite Point
Pandemic Horde
#8 - 2012-07-09 00:11:37 UTC  |  Edited by: Olleybear
Caleidascope wrote:

Be careful where you put the generator....

We have been without power from Friday to Sunday (June 29 to July 1), then again July 5 to July 6. Also a bunch of branches and some trees fell from the really strong winds.



Not sure about diesel generators, but the gasoline generators can be dangerous. My sisters gas powered Honda generator was fairly new, only had 46 hours on it, and caught fire right next to their house. Melted the siding before my brother-in-law got it pulled away from their house. Just something to keep in mind when selecting a place for one.

Sounds like you were one of the 20,000 additional people that were taken out a second time when the next storm came through. Talk about a bummer.

When it comes to PvP, I am like a chiwawa hanging from a grizzley bears pair of wrinklies for dear life.

Surfin's PlunderBunny
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#9 - 2012-07-09 00:31:12 UTC
Olleybear wrote:
Caleidascope wrote:

Be careful where you put the generator....

We have been without power from Friday to Sunday (June 29 to July 1), then again July 5 to July 6. Also a bunch of branches and some trees fell from the really strong winds.

[quote=Caleidascope]
Be careful where you put the generator....

We have been without power from Friday to Sunday (June 29 to July 1), then again July 5 to July 6. Also a bunch of branches and some trees fell from the really strong winds.



Not sure about diesel generators, but the gasoline generators can be dangerous. My sisters gas powered Honda generator was fairly new, only had 46 hours on it, and caught fire right next to their house. Melted the siding before my brother-in-law got it pulled away from their house. Just something to keep in mind when selecting a place for one.

Sounds like you were one of the 20,000 additional people that were taken out a second time when the next storm came through. Talk about a bummer.



Gas generators don't run on nitro!

"Little ginger moron" ~David Hasselhoff 

Want to see what Surf is training or how little isk Surf has?  http://eveboard.com/pilot/Surfin%27s_PlunderBunny

Olleybear
Infinite Point
Pandemic Horde
#10 - 2012-07-09 00:59:19 UTC
Surfin's PlunderBunny wrote:
I try Big smile

I recommend camping lights, like this one http://www.smart-camping-guide.com/image-files/camping_lights.jpg

Once charged it'll run for 12 hours+, more if you have an awesome car battery jumper battery with the car lighter dohickey hole Blink


Was thinking about getting something like that or one of the solar lanterns. A solar battery charger would go well with the lantern you linked.

When it comes to PvP, I am like a chiwawa hanging from a grizzley bears pair of wrinklies for dear life.

Surfin's PlunderBunny
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#11 - 2012-07-09 01:02:01 UTC
Olleybear wrote:
Surfin's PlunderBunny wrote:
I try Big smile

I recommend camping lights, like this one http://www.smart-camping-guide.com/image-files/camping_lights.jpg

Once charged it'll run for 12 hours+, more if you have an awesome car battery jumper battery with the car lighter dohickey hole Blink


Was thinking about getting something like that or one of the solar lanterns. A solar battery charger would go well with the lantern you linked.


That's a pretty cool thing, but the car thingy can also jump the car if you forget to turn the lights off that time I was in class Cool

"Little ginger moron" ~David Hasselhoff 

Want to see what Surf is training or how little isk Surf has?  http://eveboard.com/pilot/Surfin%27s_PlunderBunny

Kirjava
Lothian Enterprises
#12 - 2012-07-09 01:53:00 UTC
Caleidascope wrote:

So Pa is thinking of getting generator too. To, at least, run fridge in the house and the freezer in the basement. We are thinking to put it in a little shack tucked next to the house on the side of the house where we do not have trees.


Just a thought, but how tricky would it be to wire a cars engine to power the house for a short while? A 125cc generates around 8kw, so a car should be able to keep things ticking over on a low gear. Get it inside the garage, keep a few cans of fuel to hand and make sure that you have ventilation or an extender to get the exhaust outside the garage.

Come to think of it, aren't cars dead cheap in America? and if it never actualy needs to move again... I've heard stories that they can go for a few hundred Shocked

[center]Haruhiists - Overloading Out of Pod discussions since 2007. /人◕‿‿◕人\ Unban Saede![/center]

Caleidascope
Republic Military School
Minmatar Republic
#13 - 2012-07-09 02:01:39 UTC
Kirjava wrote:
Caleidascope wrote:

So Pa is thinking of getting generator too. To, at least, run fridge in the house and the freezer in the basement. We are thinking to put it in a little shack tucked next to the house on the side of the house where we do not have trees.


Just a thought, but how tricky would it be to wire a cars engine to power the house for a short while? A 125cc generates around 8kw, so a car should be able to keep things ticking over on a low gear. Get it inside the garage, keep a few cans of fuel to hand and make sure that you have ventilation or an extender to get the exhaust outside the garage.

Come to think of it, aren't cars dead cheap in America? and if it never actualy needs to move again... I've heard stories that they can go for a few hundred Shocked

A couple of issues.

The automotive engines produce DC I think. Your house is setup to receive AC. So you will need some kind of transformer to convert DC to AC. The bought generator will have that stuff already setup, no tinkering.

Second issue is more general and pretty much will come up with any choice you make. The generator has to be wired to the breaker board or whatever the thing is called that basically all electrical stuff in the house is connected to.

Life is short and dinner time is chancy

Eat dessert first!

Kirjava
Lothian Enterprises
#14 - 2012-07-09 02:07:53 UTC
Caleidascope wrote:
Kirjava wrote:
Caleidascope wrote:

So Pa is thinking of getting generator too. To, at least, run fridge in the house and the freezer in the basement. We are thinking to put it in a little shack tucked next to the house on the side of the house where we do not have trees.


Just a thought, but how tricky would it be to wire a cars engine to power the house for a short while? A 125cc generates around 8kw, so a car should be able to keep things ticking over on a low gear. Get it inside the garage, keep a few cans of fuel to hand and make sure that you have ventilation or an extender to get the exhaust outside the garage.

Come to think of it, aren't cars dead cheap in America? and if it never actualy needs to move again... I've heard stories that they can go for a few hundred Shocked

A couple of issues.

The automotive engines produce DC I think. Your house is setup to receive AC. So you will need some kind of transformer to convert DC to AC. The bought generator will have that stuff already setup, no tinkering.

Second issue is more general and pretty much will come up with any choice you make. The generator has to be wired to the breaker board or whatever the thing is called that basically all electrical stuff in the house is connected to.


Aye, but pop in a standard transformer or make your own if you have enough wire to hand, and you would need to wire it in properly... it doesn't seem like something too complicated that it couldn't be done if you're confident with electrics.

[center]Haruhiists - Overloading Out of Pod discussions since 2007. /人◕‿‿◕人\ Unban Saede![/center]

Domer Pyle
Republic University
Minmatar Republic
#15 - 2012-07-09 03:39:40 UTC
ohio ftw. my power went out for a couple seconds on the 29th, and the internet was down for a while, but that was it.

oh, btw, anyone in here know any good bars in phoenix?

"Imagine if the bars to your prison were all you had ever known. Then one day, someone appears and unlocks the door. If they have the power to do this, then are they really the liberator? You never remembered who it was that closed you in." - Ior Labron

Viktor Fyretracker
Emminent Terraforming
#16 - 2012-07-09 06:01:21 UTC
no power failed here at all except for flickers when the grid was bypassing damaged systems. However counties south of mine here in NJ still have some outages.

Since the supermarket I work in had power, we moved over two tons of ice in one day. that is more than what we usually sell in an entire week.

EVE is like swimming on a beach in shark infested waters,  There is however a catch...  The EVE Beach you also have to wonder which fellow swimmer will try and eat you before the sharks.

Micheal Dietrich
Kings Gambit Black
#17 - 2012-07-09 07:12:22 UTC
Kirjava wrote:
Shalia Ripper wrote:
OMG, I hope you had a long skill in queue.Twisted
Humans lived for quite some time without electricity. You should be able to deal for a few days.

P.S. With an electric powered pump in your well, perhaps a small solar panel would be a good idea.


As he stated with regards to wind damage, most likely the solar pannel would be mounted on his roof and taken out during the storm.



Most general panels are firmly bolted to a house so if he had a wind powerful enough to yank a panel off then it would take the roof as well, at which point electricity is the least of his problems.

But he doesn't need a $5000 unit installed for one generator, though if he wanted to turn his home into a 0 energy house then that would be something to look at*. He can get a complete solar pump system that provides 24v for under $300. Sure it wont provide an excellent shower but it will give him running water and the panel is small enough to be placed just about anywhere. He can also get another one for his water heater providing him with warm water goodness.

*new technology solar panels are about as think as a quarter and can be rolled out into sheets. With the proper roof they would actually be recessed.

As to the car, aside from the AC/DC difference, I would like to point out that a good chunk of your cooling comes from the vehicle moving as air enters the engine compartment and gets blown out under the car. Given that the car would be stationary I'd say you would have about an hour before the engine overheats and seizes up.

We had some pretty incredible winds tonight in my neck of the woods. Nothing dropping power or whatnot but its a climate change that has been noticeable over the last few years and they are becoming for frequent each year. We have a number of young spruces that we have stabilized with your common tie-downs that you get for vehicles. Was only supposed to be a temporary thing but that was 3 years ago and we probably wont be able to release them for several more years until those trees have some thickness to them. As for the winds I won't be the least bit surprised if we get middle east style dust storms by 2040. The planet is changing and we have to change with it.

Out of Pod is getting In the Pod - Join in game channel **IG OOPE **

Shameless Avenger
Can Preachers of Kador
#18 - 2012-07-09 07:13:11 UTC
Psss bunch of noobs... get a nice cat 5+ hurricane and live without energy or water for 3 months and then we can talk. Dealing with the toilet management alone deserves a medal for bravery.

"This is the Ninja. He will scan you down; he will salvage your wrecks and there shall be no aggro"

Domer Pyle
Republic University
Minmatar Republic
#19 - 2012-07-09 07:40:16 UTC
^ hence why i'd never wanna live on the south coast. also, humidity ftl.

"Imagine if the bars to your prison were all you had ever known. Then one day, someone appears and unlocks the door. If they have the power to do this, then are they really the liberator? You never remembered who it was that closed you in." - Ior Labron

Micheal Dietrich
Kings Gambit Black
#20 - 2012-07-09 15:16:40 UTC
Shameless Avenger wrote:
Psss bunch of noobs... get a nice cat 5+ hurricane and live without energy or water for 3 months and then we can talk. Dealing with the toilet management alone deserves a medal for bravery.



I was raised by wolves in the wilds of Alaska for 10 years. No toilet, no shower, no blankets, and I had to kill my own food.

Out of Pod is getting In the Pod - Join in game channel **IG OOPE **

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