Winter Storm Threatens East Coast? Batten Down the Hatches

[Ekios]

We were told it should be back on in 10 days but I'm skeptical.

That's kind of ridiculous isn't it? I mean, TEN DAYS?

And it is not like they didn't see it coming . . .

 

[Maat]

We were told it should be back on in 10 days but I'm skeptical.

That's kind of ridiculous isn't it? I mean, TEN DAYS?

And it is not like they didn't see it coming . . .

That's what we they call progress

 

[meta-agnostic]

In addition to all the other continuing chaos, gasoline/petrol does seem to be in short supply. I filled up on Friday even though I had a little less than half a tank because I'm, you know, paying attention. Hearing reports from others there are either long lines or station after station that is sold out. I'm guessing once new supplies are able to come in unhindered this will die down but these things can be self-reinforcing like bank runs.

 

[supriyanoel]

I am on Staten Island which was hit pretty hard. There have been some deaths along the coast.We went out in trucks to rescue a few stranded people and animals along with the fire dept as was possible. In my home there was a lot of superficial damage, 52 bags of debris from trees. It took superhuman strength ,at least for me. I didn't think I had this much strength in me. I asked the universe is all I can say and it answered. What I also observed,and had me horrified and shocked, was the behavior of most neighbors. Not one person asked to help me, and I am alone with a pretty big piece of property to care for. Not even my tenant came out, and later on when he did, and I expressed my concern and need for help, there was no response. Literally, and these are people I know and have friendly relationships with. I moved a bunch of trees that fell across the street, and men were taking pictures of me.The millionaire next door gave me an old broken flashlight when I finally asked. I felt like i was in the twilight zone. I am not a whiner.What I observed was pshycopathy in action. Not only that, but there were definite programs and limitations in these people that were right in front of you that were like robots short-circuiting. This did not look human, there was something very out of whack here. I've seen this before, but not en masse and not as clear. Most just refused to acknowledge anyones plight. I thought that I could be going a little bonkers myself, and when I questioned my niece 2 houses down, she also said that the same people walked away from her on other occasions during short little pleasentries that she initiated in a neighborly way. Something prompted me to walk over to a worker that came to move trees, and he had told me that people all over were paying no attention to his directions, which could of meant life and death.I think I woke up a little more. And it doesn't matter where I am, these same people I would help if they asked, no matter what. I know its in times like these that show us who we choose to be, and though I'm a selfish being in 3D, my initial responses to disaster showed me this time, that not only the people, but the trees, and animals are as important to give thanks to as well as each other. I sang to those trees, as corny as it sounds and maybe crazy,but I thought of the respect the Indians of this country had. And I sang thanks to every one of them and touched them all. I didn't ask for protection, because they to have a will of there own that I have no business interfering in. I just thanked them for their wonderful gift they gave to so many of us on the land. And I sang LOUD. To heck with the neighbors!And the doggies were by my side all through the storm that raged.As I sit in HOME DEPOT, writing this I am grateful I can plug in here. And will have enough .duct tape, and hopefully enough batteries and blankets to stay warm. I'll be fine no matter what. People died,so my plight is nothing, and thanks to the connection of the people, YOU!,her, I have all I need. Thanks for listening. I'm comforted just to know you're all here .I will take pics if possible.

 

[Al Today]

supriyanoel,
I am moved by your words. Your words give me hope and a feeling of gratitude. Yes, this is one helluva crazy planet and I am grateful to know there are "GOOD" people out there. People like you.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[EdgeofDawn]

There's some before and after pics here.
_http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/shocking-before-after-photos-of-hurricane-sandy

 

[anart]

I am on Staten Island which was hit pretty hard.

Good to hear from you, supriyanoel - glad to know that you're hanging in there in such difficult circumstances. Update us when you can!

 

[meta-agnostic]

Moving story supriyanoel, and glad you are OK.

I haven't had to ask for help yet but I've tried to offer it when appropriate. It's been interesting to see people's reactions just to losing electricity. They seem to think things will get back to normal soon enough, and don't want to be seen as charity cases. Most people by now have figured out some kind of arrangement with friends or relatives and are talking irately about not having a definite date of when power will be restored. It's understandable, and a good juxtaposition from my prepper mindframe of, "you mean you hadn't even thought about having this, this and this beforehand?!" If things get worse or don't improve soon it will be even more of a test for things to come, or perhaps things already here.


Here are some more before and after photos, satellite images this time, courtesy of our pals at NOAA and Zerohedge:

_http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-11-01/hurricane-sandy-satellite-photos-and-after

 

[Guardian]

It might not be ridiculous if the utility company is privately owned.

We were on a co-op at the time, but our neighbors were on VEPCO (Virginia Electric and Power) and it took just as long for them.

The way it was explained to me is that they restore the lines that carry the highest voltage at first, then the 3 phase grid, then individual residences last.

What this means is that large businesses get their power back first (because they're 3 phase) and folks in rural areas are dead last.

 

[Divide by Zero]

It might not be ridiculous if the utility company is privately owned.

We were on a co-op at the time, but our neighbors were on VEPCO (Virginia Electric and Power) and it took just as long for them.

The way it was explained to me is that they restore the lines that carry the highest voltage at first, then the 3 phase grid, then individual residences last.

What this means is that large businesses get their power back first (because they're 3 phase) and folks in rural areas are dead last.

I work in the electrical industry, not a utility- but we do work with high voltage feeds, indoor, motors, lighting, etc. It's been rough with our repairs, but nothing compared to what the utilities are going through!

First, they survey the damage and see what is salvageable. Then, damaged equipment has to be dismantled to make room to put up the new equipment and lines. Sometimes there is waiting for the proper materials and machinery to do the job, depending on the location.

After that, new construction is done and then things have to be coordinated to energize the lines properly and make sure they have the proper protection.

So it's like doing a new construction job, PLUS demolition of the old damaged equipment!

I remember when Verizon was here 2 years ago putting up fiber optics, it took them days to complete a few blocks at a time. They didn't have to deal with broken trees or having to pull out old cables and equipment.
I can't imagine how many times to multiply that time frame example by to give an idea of how much needs to be done.

 

[Voyageur]

Glad you’re doing ok supriyanoel and thanks for offering some awareness of how you handled things and how people are reacting around you. For some, shock could account for their attitudes and for others, well they only see what they want to see.

[quote author=Divide By Zero]

After that, new construction is done and then things have to be coordinated to energize the lines properly and make sure they have the proper protection.

So it's like doing a new construction job, PLUS demolition of the old damaged equipment!

[/quote]

This is a very good point Divide by Zero; to reenergise infrastructures. This would require so many aspects of clear unobstructed connectivity, otherwise it can be a bad recipe and people can get seriously injured or worse. The expectation is for power when one hits the switch, we’ve been conditioned for this and looking at the scenes, it is quite a mess and may take some time.

 

[Menna]

Never lost power, no damage to the house or cars and all loved ones accounted for. I live just outside NYC, it might have taken me close to 2hrs to get gas but with that being said I feel very lucky.

The storm put a lot in perspective for me. Also noticed some new observations in myself. Not to sound insensitive but the Storm provided a sock for me IMO

I will get mad at the Internet if it’s slow, it will literally frustrate me. On Monday and Tuesday I didn't care so much because I felt fortunate to even have power but today I was agitated because it was slow. This simple observation brought on by a feeling of fortune makes me think that I do feel entitled to alot of things and honestly WTF am I entitled to? anything? this is a HUGE lie to myself. What in the human condition makes us feel entitled?

Also the people on the news yelling at the Government, Red Cross, army and police that they are not doing enough yelling and blaming. If there is a huge catastrophe that damages more than a few States. Im not confident that individuals can come together. Sure a town can huddle together they feel a sense of home but what if two towns are struggling for "their share" of food, gas and supplies. Not enough to go around. Could get violent. When G talks about "creating a nucleolus of people" he couldn't be more on point because not only war, but anything that puts one another at competition for survival will cause caois among people if no one is conscious enough to be objective about the situation

There was also 12+ inches of snow in the Virginia region in October...Global Warming???? I think not.

 

[loreta]

supriyanoel your story is incredible. Thank you very much to give us the open door to participated in your experience! As we can see, even in hard situations people act as they are: if you are an egocentric nothing will change your attitude. If you are respectful than everything, specially a situation like this one, is an occasion to act as you are. Your story is a sad and beautiful story that gives insights about humanity in a microscopic dimension.

I hear the news from TeleSur about how things are going in NYC and it seems to me incredible that there is no more fuel for cars or that people have to wait 4, 6 hours for their cars. And to see Mr. Obama talking about helping people, bla, bla, bla. This is so disgusting. It always gives me nausea to hear politicians.

Sandy is giving lessons! Thanks, Sandy.

 

[Joe]

What I'm surprised about is that people in the NYC area are being told this and also the fact that people just a few miles away have power. I don't understand the technicalities involved, but it still smacks of incompetence to me. Then again, that wouldn't be anything new.

 

[clerck de bonk]

That's kind of ridiculous isn't it? I mean, TEN DAYS?

When Isabel came through, we were without power for almost a month.

But that was a rural area right? What I'm surprised about is that people in the NYC area are being told this and also the fact that people just a few miles away have power. I don't understand the technicalities involved, but it still smacks of incompetence to me. Then again, that wouldn't be anything new.

A lot of different grids, a lot of bureaucracy? Which Obama mentioned something about in his speech to the plebs recently...