no power in Alabama but ok

edmonds · #1 04/30/11, 10:16 AM

The storms that came thru here did a lot of damage in localized areas, but the effects of the storms extend over a mulch larger area. A lot of north Alabama is without power due to damage at a nuclear power plant, and gas is hard to get because the stations don't have power to pump the gas.

Thankfully, there was no storm damage in my immediate area. And most of my neighbors in my rural area are coping fine with the loss of power. A lot have generators, and those that don't have taken their food to neighbors who do.

We have a small generator that we run for about 2 hours 3-4 times a day. It keeps our fridge/freezer cold, powers a few lights, some tv to check the local news, and even the internet (we have Wildblue). For breakfast, we cook bacon/sausage and home fresh egg on a little camp stove off our back porch. For dinner we fire up the grill. At night, we get together with neighbors, light campfires and roast marshmellows, consume mass quantities, etc. So all things considered, life is good, even in the aftermath of the storms.

Of course, not everyone in north Alabama is as well off as we are, and I hope most of the visitors of this web site were not severely affected.

Belfrybat · #2 04/30/11, 04:58 PM

Thanks for the update. Glad you came through the storms OK.

Kmac15 · #3 04/30/11, 05:18 PM

Glad to hear you are doing OK..we were in Charleston for Hugo so we understand the community needing to pull together. How are you doing for water? That was our biggie.

julieq · #4 04/30/11, 07:26 PM

So glad you're doing well! We went through an ice storm back when we lived in Northern Alabama and were without power for about five days on our ranch. Did fine with our generator and then once we got power back we passed the generator on to friends in TN who remained without power longer than us.

kasilofhome · #5 04/30/11, 08:24 PM

Your area sounds like a great place to live where people work together and are prepped to go it alone.

**clovis** · #6 04/30/11, 11:54 PM

Indianapolis Power and Light just sent 19 line men, plus trucks to Alabama to work storm damage. They left Friday, and were told to be prepared to be gone for 14 to 21 days.

These men will put in some grueling hours, and work as hard as they ever have.

The biggest hassle these guys will have to deal with is the one person in fifty that will scream their head off about how they don't have power, and that the crews aren't working hard enough to get power back on. There is a crazy one in every crowd, and these people make it hard on the men to get the job done.

Most of the time delays will be getting trees cleared. A tree that has gone down on a power line has to be removed. Sometimes they have to clear 40 trees to re-energize a line.

Other delays are created by waiting on poles, wire and transformers. From the pics that I've seen, I can't fathom how there would be enough poles and equipment in a five state area to supply the needs for Alabama. I bet that the utilities in AL have been ordering by the semi load.

Sonshine · #7 05/01/11, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clovis

Indianapolis Power and Light just sent 19 line men, plus trucks to Alabama to work storm damage. They left Friday, and were told to be prepared to be gone for 14 to 21 days.

These men will put in some grueling hours, and work as hard as they ever have.

The biggest hassle these guys will have to deal with is the one person in fifty that will scream their head off about how they don't have power, and that the crews aren't working hard enough to get power back on. There is a crazy one in every crowd, and these people make it hard on the men to get the job done.

Most of the time delays will be getting trees cleared. A tree that has gone down on a power line has to be removed. Sometimes they have to clear 40 trees to re-energize a line.

Other delays are created by waiting on poles, wire and transformers. From the pics that I've seen, I can't fathom how there would be enough poles and equipment in a five state area to supply the needs for Alabama. I bet that the utilities in AL have been ordering by the semi load.

In this case it's not just the power lines. TVA (Tenessee Valley Authority) which generates most of the electricy for those areas was hit, so they have to also repair the damages there.

AngieM2 · #8 05/01/11, 01:00 AM

I'm in one of the hit areas, forunately I'm okayl just no power

But 8 of the transmission lines from TVA to N. AL were destroiyed nd are being rebuilt asap.
On problem, those lines are on easment land and the land is wet and soggy and making it difficult , according the wDRM person from elect company that explained it.
We are looking at probably until Wed before we have electricity.

Ravenlost · #9 05/01/11, 01:29 AM

My mom's and sister's power was turned on late yesterday and their water was also restored, although they were told to boil the water at first (that ended today). My sister's family have been eating at my mom's because she has her old wood cookstove. When I talked to her, she said things weren't that different for her...she has oil lamps, etc. and a battery powered radio to keep up with local news. Biggest worry for her was losing the food in her freezer, but her neighbor brought her a generator to use and got it hooked up about an hour before the power came on!

My son in Huntsville had just bought groceries...quite a bit of perishable stuff the day before the tornadoes hit. He saw a tree uprooted across the street from his house, but fortunately uprooted trees were the only damage in his area. He is still without power and water, but the street he lives on has really pulled together and the folks there are sharing food, water, etc. Some friends of his got together and they cooked all their perishable food on grills and an open fire. He said all he lost was a bag of frozen green beans.

Today he told me they are starting to run out of batteries, candles, food and money. He doesn't have a working car and the only grocery store in his neighborhood has been jacking up prices. I was planning to head over there with supplies on Tuesday, but have been in touch with a relative who lives much closer and wants to help.

Honestly, I'm very surprised that my son is taking this in stride. He has Bipolar Disorder and usually the slightest little change in routine can throw him into a tailspin. So far he has handled everything very well and has told me he likes "living like a gypsy".

edmonds, I am glad you are also in an area that wasn't badly hit. My heart just breaks for all the lives lost and hurts for those affected by this terrible event in my home state.

MOgal · #10 05/01/11, 08:33 AM

Good to hear a positive story like the community being a community for mutual aid and support. In our rural area, we have 3 other families who work together like that.

When we've had ice storms, etc., that required crews from other states, it was gratifying to hear the stories of local folk who took hot food and coffee to the crews in the field. Praise for them was high in the next issue of our REA magazine. My feeling is that despite the good pay and overtime, the crews are leaving their own families and their safe warm houses to work in terrible conditions so I can be safe and warm. God bless 'em and God bless those who need them

halfpint · #11 05/05/11, 09:56 AM

One thing I noticed on a road I drive regularly and I rarely see anyone outside. When the power was out, people were all out and if not working cutting trees or repairing roofs, were talking to one another. And this was for miles of road, not just a small section. I suspect some neighbors met each other for the first time.

We had crews from Wisconsin working in our area until the power was restored.
Dawn

ronbre · #12 05/05/11, 11:14 AM

glad you are safe and making do