Recent lesson learned and plans re-enforcement

[jezcruzen]

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Thank-you for your post it is an inspiration for everyone, everyone needs a plan and proved that it worked just fine. My question to you is did you go to work during all of this or did you stay home?
Usually when we lose power for a while we do not lose it where I work, so I generally go to work.

I retired from the fire service several years ago, so going to work wasn't an issue for me. Now I can just hang around and worry everyone else half to death!

Applejack, should Tidewater evacuate ahead of a hurricane landfall, you will have a lot of those evacuees coming right past you. I64, 460, and 58 are the three designated evac routes.

Richfl, a friend has a setup like you have, and I intend to look into one myself. My genny is only 4kw. I have to cut off my 110vac in order to run my well pump, which is 220vac. We had "water time" twice daily to allow for hygiene purposes and other water uses. A quieter genny would be great, as well. I cut ours off periodically so I could just enjoy the SILENCE!

[JLBIII]

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Generator theft is a big thing nowadays, when I use mine it is always chained with a heavy duty chain to a lolly column inside the garage. For added protection I put it on a pressure pad wired to an extremely loud siren, if they try to move it the siren goes off, then if they're not gone by the time I get outside with my 40 cal Springfield Armory, they have bigger problems to worry about.

Joe

[CountryGuy]

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Jez great post. Question, with no power what did you hear about stores/ gas stations etc and their inability to take credit/ debit cards. Wondering if they went cash only or if they took checks or what their position was. I'm assuming things became cash only.

We were at my parents and got hit with something similar but power was only out for about 7-8 hrs. As soon as the lights went off I was proud to hear my 9yo ask grandma where her flashlight and candles were. She wanted to come out when Dad and rolled out the genny to plug in the fridge and fire up a fan. The next day we were having a small family reunion so Mom had the fridge loaded for bear and was fretting things going bad. It was hot as blazes outside and in the house so we gathered up the kids/ sleeping bags and air mattresses and headed to the basement for a nice cool sleep.

AppleJack - On your statement about not carrying and now your thinking about carrying only when you leave home. Having lived in Newport News/ Yorktown just less than 2 yrs ago I recall several news stories about home invasions in the area. I don't want to scare you, but "ever vigilant" is a good slogan to carry by. If your pistol is locked up in your bedroom it won't do you much good when you and your Mr are sitting in the living room and 3 or 4 thugs come busting in the front door.

[Morgan101]

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A few questions about generators: RichFL - Where did you get a propane generator? Name and Model # ? I have not seen one, but it seems like a great idea - quieter and cleaner. Does it produce the same amount of power?

For others using standard generators; are they always outside? Can you use one in a garage safely? I have not invested yet, but probably should.

[jezcruzen]

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Countryguy - sorry taking so long to get back.

Yes, cash only in a lot of places. CCs and debits no longer worked in the affected area. Cash was king.

The gas stations without power simply were not able to operate without any back up power. The unaffected stations, or those using a generator, ran out of gas, and delivery from the suppliers was often delayed. Tempers flared and reports of actual fights breaking out was not unusual.

Most any liquid-fueled generator can be converted to use propane. Check Generac on-line. They offer a lot of different models, many of which are set up for propane.

[Savvy Survivalist]

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It always amazes me, although it shouldn't by now, how quickly all civility is lost in these type situations.

Thank you, RichFL, for the idea of having the generator on standby with it's own propane tank. We have a generator, but I really need to prepare for longer power outages.

[Scouter]

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Thanks for sharing jescruzen. We plan to shelter in place for any type disaster except flood. We live on a creek bank in a flood zone, so that is one of my biggest concerns. I like the idea of propane fueled generator. Will look into converting ours.