Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Feel the power

The storms early Monday morning have wiped out power for about 800,000 people in our area. We are extremely lucky, our power flickered a few times, but never went out. We think it was flickering again during the night last night as our smoke detectors (wired into the electrical system - local ordinance) kept bleeping LOUDLY very briefly. New power outages seem to be occurring here and there, including stop lights, making traveling interesting. You never know if you will be able to get where you are going and if the power will be on when you get there. We've learned to call ahead.

My parents had no power for over 24 hours, but it is on again. They have well water, so no power to run the pump, so no water as well. They have an office not far from their house with power and running water, but no shower. Mom called this afternoon when the power came on, after she'd taken a shower and started the washing machine.

Violet has an art class this week at the community college. We showed up yesterday, less than an hour after the storm to find the power out there and the college closed. She did get to meet the instructor and really liked him. Today the college was open and she loved the class. He is teaching another drawing class in 2 weeks and she had me sign her up for that too. This week it is mythological characters, the next class is fantasy and sci fi.

It isn't as hot today as yesterday, but still humid and sticky. People are milling about businesses if the power is on. Our library was advertising on its website that they have power and to come on over and recharge your cell phone and laptop there. It is supposed to be much cooler tomorrow, that should help everything get back to normal.

The electric company is telling people it could be Thursday before their power is back on. Most of the branches are cleared from the roads, but it was pretty bad Monday morning. I think branches coming down now are what is taking out power in new places. I think generator sales in the area will be sky high for quite some time.

The storm was so brief and no one I've talked to has thought it seemed very bad. But, boy did it do some damage to the power grid.

2 comments:

Ami said...

You don't realize how much you depend on power until you don't have it.

Hope everyone is plugged back in soon.

Anonymous said...

Phew! Very fortunate that you kept power, eh?

Now, that art class sounds like my kind of class. Mythology, sci-fi and fantasy? Yes please!