Tree damage, grid crippled |
Thursday night we had fireworks. The wind toppled a tree and it took down a power line less than 100 yards from our home. Wasn’t quick enough to catch most of the action, but caught some of it above outside our home office window as the lights finally died down. We’ve been off the grid since.
We weren’t the only ones without power, joining some million plus people in the greater Seattle area.
To make matters worse, temperatures dipped beneath freezing and many gas stations were closed in the surrounding area. ATMs weren’t working and banks were closed in many areas so getting access to cash wasn’t easy either. Many stores sold out of batteries and forget about access to a generator unless you already have one.
Long lines at the few open gas stations and some roads were completely inaccessible because poles snarled with wires or trees had blocked the roadway. At night the sound of generators filled the air and the city streets were devoid of light and activity. A bar in town was open, running off a generator. We didn’t stop in but could see a few people playing pool and a hand drawn open sign on the window as we walked by on main street.
Yesterday a couple workers cut away branches around the tree that fell near our home. Still no power came back and the workers said they needed some different machinery to get the tree down all the way.
Again temperatures started to drop as night fell. About 10pm PST, suddenly, surprisingly the power came back on. We quickly cranked up the heat. This morning a hot shower. Will be a little while before I can get back up to speed with what’s happening elsewhere in the world, but here it’s not happening in many, many places at all.
If you know anybody in the greater Seattle area, I wouldn’t expect to see them online for awhile and if you can get through to them on the phone, you might want to check in. They’ve been saying it could be as much as 10 days or more before some areas will get power restored.
Fellow Washingtonians, our thoughts are with you.
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[…] Across Puget Sound from where I sit, TDavid blogs his side of the storm. Looks like the east side was also without power since Thursday night, but it’s getting restored. Back at you, TD. Stay safe. […]
Pingback by Chipping the web - “a funny number” -- Chip’s Quips — December 17, 2006 @ 7:24 pm
These photos remind me so much of the areas I saw on my Katrina mission. I pray your family remains safe.
Comment by ^Lestat — December 17, 2006 @ 8:02 pm
Wasn’t anywhere close to that severe, Lestat, but thanks for the kind thoughts
Comment by TDavid — December 17, 2006 @ 11:25 pm
That’s a good sized tree that fell–I hope none that big are too close to your house. You guys are really getting hit hard this year. Keep an eye on those trees, TD.
Comment by Vince Williams — December 18, 2006 @ 7:41 am