We had quite the blow yesterday. I was lounging in the yard on my laptop, trying to get some academic nonsense sorted, and enjoying the over cast weather. It got a bit windy and I saw those clouds. The kind that look like theyre cascading over each other like water. Either way, it was time to pack it up and head inside. Sure enough, fifteen minutes later the wind picks up and starts doing its thing.
We had a really nasty blow come through in August of 2015. This wasn’t as bad but I sat on the porchand watched the rain come down and could hear a couple transformers pop off in the distance. Fully expected the power to go out but it stayed on. At least, on my side of the street it did. The guy across the street had a tree come down in his yard and land on the powerline. That side of the street is without power until the power company works it’s chainsaw magic.
Me, I was content to listen to the police radio and watch the tree limbs come tumbling down. Why should I worry? Loss of electricity is only a minor inconvenience in this household. But thats what preparedness is about – being able to not be exposed to as much risk as might otherwise occur.
Tomorrow will be cleanup since there;s dead branches everywhere, but all in all, a quiet little non-disaster. These summery thunderboomers sure leave a mess behind. Reminds me, I need to get the generator out and run it for a little while. It’s been several months since the last run so I really should get that taken care of.
Ah yes… being prepared means we can relax with a beer -n- munchies and watch TV by candlelight.. 🙂 I always appreciate your blog.
Candlelight is for the unprepared…if I’ve got power to run the TV (and router) then I’ve got power for actual household lighting.
Maybe the candle is mood lighting? 😎. Come to FL and try some of our Thunderstorms…..welcome mat is out for ya!!
Pre-emptive tasks prevent issues. Cut those lovely shade trees back, prune, or entirely out. I don’t care if it falls on wires or neighbors house but if it is a possibility of affecting my infrastructure it is gone. I cut a 40 year old mulberry out of my back yard taller than top of the house. Not enough shade provided to be worth the risk to the structure or associated root damages, cut it, burn it in the winter. Consider lightening rods and cables if your house is high profile in the area. A million volts is no joke. No hail down here in the sunbelt desert but a sturdy carport/garage will save a destroyed vehicle too!
One nice thing about windy days is the free firewood that ends up scattered around. Granted, my little corner of these United States only has a handful of nights a year cool enough to justify a fire, but I gather enough for my meager needs and then some.
Disclaimer: I ask my neighbors before snagging any downed limbs/branches.
Practice skills for wood poaching after the collapse. Being keen to locations and quick gather and get out abilities will be useful.
Both my roomie and my roomie/landlord bitched me out for calling the power company about our 1am power loss. I was informed “the power always comes back on in a little bit”. I replied “And they will restore our power without knowing it is out?” I am minimizing my freezer/fridge items…