Posted on 06/30/2012 11:09:54 AM PDT by JoeProBono
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 3.4 million people were without power in the eastern United States on Saturday from powerful thunderstorms that stretched from Indiana to New Jersey accompanied by record heat. States of emergency were declared in Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia because of overnight storms with hurricane-force winds that knocked down trees and power cables along a 500-mile-long stretch.
At least eight people were killed. Forecasters predicted more severe thunderstorms partnered with renewed heat on Saturday. Restoring power in some areas could stretch into next week and utilities in Ohio and Virginia described damage as "catastrophic." "It's going to be a while before some folks get power, and with the heat, that's our big concern," said Bob Spieldenner, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. More than 1 million Virginia customers were out of power in the worst outage not linked to a hurricane in the state's history, he said. Six people were killed in Virginia in storm-related incidents, Spieldenner said.
About 800,000 customers in Maryland were without power, and every county in the state had reported outages, a spokesman for the state's emergency agency said. In West Virginia, Governor Ray Tomblin declared a statewide emergency. A spokesman for the state's emergency management office said about 672,000 people were without power.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
In Central Florida, the storm lingered in the Gulf of Mexico without moving for days. We had horrendous winds & flooding rains. My neighbored was spared damage to homes, power loss or any loss of lives.
Praying for those who are suffering unbearable heat without air conditioning or power to keep provisions in their homes without the ability to feed their families. Some without any homes left to live in - for who knows how long.
Get used to it. This is what is going to be like when Barry and the ‘RATS are reelected in November.
Yeah, and how many of them could have spent less than $500 for a 2000w generator and 5 gallons of gas?
Y’all know the Boy Scout motto, right?
2000w generator set is not going to be enough juice to cool down a McMansion.
Even before Thursday, there were tens of millions of us out here who feel like we don’t have any power, regardless of the amount of electricity we have.
Even before Thursday, there were tens of millions of us out here who feel like we don’t have any power, regardless of the amount of electricity we have.
Twelve are now confirmed dead from this storm:
I got a 7.2kw unit for about $900. Added a $250 transfer switch and installed it myself.
While it won’t run the central air it will run the furnace, refrigerators, and a couple of window ac units. Mrs. L was a bit put out at the cash investment but after watching the news last night she said “OK honey, I’m glad you bought that stuff.” I just told her I did it for her and that I couldn’t live with seeing her suffer because I didn’t make a few prudent preparations.
Yea, I got lucky last night.
Yeah, but it’ll run your fridge and charge a deep cycle power pack so at least you can have an electric light and run a laptop for entertainment. The only other thing you need to endure a blackout is a camping stove.
I’ve been there.
What some guys won't do to get .....
I don't get anything for you clicking on it. It is on The Weather Underground website.
I couldn’t find my friggin flashlight.
I am gonna buy a couple more of them soon.
We got a lot of wind , but not much needed rain.
I cleaned up the yard of limbs torn off the tree’s this morning and helped my neighbor get his roof from his shed out of his driveway. I tried to tell him when he put that shed up that the roof was coming off in a wind. He cheaped it when he put it on.
I’m here in central Ohio and electric now on after being off 23 hrs.We’re lucky because some may be without elec.for a week.More storms moving in tonight.Praying everyone will be safe.
I live out of Arlington (VA) and have to say it was the most unusual storm that I’ve seen. No forecast for something like this until twelve hours before it hit. About four hours prior to it’s arrival in DC area, they were already warning folks to prepare for a massive storm. Around 10:30, huge blast of lightning with almost no rain, and 60mph winds. Five minutes later, all electrical was gone. In half an hour, it was gone. I doubt if I even got a 1/10th of an inch of rain out of this. Power restored after 20 hours off. Although some folks are expecting five days before their power is returned. Some are giving up and just packing a bag....going off for the next week and forget about this mess entirely.
The first for when people figured out there was no power for the pumps, so if you found a station open that was going to be it for the gasoline supply. The second was easy ~ take the ice and put it in smaller bags, insert it throughout the interior of your refrigerator.
Here's something about ice ~ it works, but it melts. If the power comes on leave the ice alone. You may have another storm ~ and we will have one this evening. The ice will already be there if the power goes out.
We dropped a bag off to the lady down the street whose husband has Alzheimers. Always be sure to do that ~ get an extra bag for the folks who need it the most.
We saw some of the storm damage ~ I saw bushes and 2 year old saplings snapped in two about 18 inches off the ground. You rarely see that.
Once we figured out that 1.2 million customers actually meant 4.8 million people, we realized this was quite a disaster.
The current death toll is 14
I really feel for these people without electricity. After hurricane Ike we were without power for 2 1/2 weeks. Some people were without for longer than that. I will be the first to admit I am spoiled rotten by a/c, especially. Most everything else I can do without.
I bought a 10kw generator for $1300 and a transfer switch(including installation) for $1100. I also purchased a portable air conditioner for $500. Worth every penny.
I know we were lucky, our power was only out about 3 hrs, it wasn’t even worth starting the generator. My parents area of Indiana got it worse though, they didn’t lose power at their home. I’ll certainly keep others in my prayers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.