Post Hurricane

smoak · smoak's Garage

Reporting in from the "Bullseye State" formerly known as the Sunshine State:

Well, we made it through another weekend hurricane. Seems like these things are coming more often than the UPS man these days. Seeing as how the last two storms were fairly efficient at removing tree limbs, we only lost two this time. Of course, the fence contractor had no sooner repaired the downed fence from the last storm when, viola we lose another section with this storm.

I really have to say electricity is probably the coolest thing ever. AND I MEAN COOLEST, as in it powers the AIR CONDITIONING. I can get over the no lights, no outlets and lack of appliances (no gas unfortunately in our house) but that A/C invention is seriously second to none ever evented. So, its back to the in laws we go (they of course have power). Boy its so fun to listen to my father in law tell me about before anyone had airconditioning and so on. Yes, sir, I know it was hot back then but I really want to say, people used to ride horses to work too, but you don't hear me saying that would be ok today.

The local power company is predicting a longer outtage this time. Seems as though more transmission structures (rather than local distribution poles like in your neighborhood) are down from this storm. Great news. Last time it was only 1 week without power.

So work has become a haven for me during these storm aftermaths. We have power here, which alas means we have A/C. I think I just might work until midnight tonight. No reason to head back over to the in-laws and listen to stories about crap I have heard 1000 times.

Sure hope we are done with these things. Consider yourself lucky to never have to deal with this once, much less three times.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I just sold a 15KW Propane/Natural Gas generator that's on a trailer.
I figured I'd get people from Florida knocking my door down for the thing. Turns out someone from Cali bought it.

I hope this is it as far as storms this year. You guys have had a decade's worth of misery.

id10t · 09-28-2004, 05:16 AM

Sill without power in Alachua/High Springs (just north of gainesville), but I have a 400w inverter for my car. It will run a few fans and lights, or one fan and the satellite/tv at the same time. My '99 Nissan Altima uses 1/4 tank of gas (~4 gals) running all night long to drive it.

RoninLB · 09-29-2004, 10:44 PM

my friend has a generator that he guards with his gun when it's outside running. If he has to leave home he has to move it into a locked garage.

If Dr Grey is correct again on his hurricane projections this hurricane bs cycle will last for another 20-30yrs.. good luck.

targa911S · 09-30-2004, 07:10 AM

just got power back weds. in Clearwater. man you're right about A/C. Everything else I could do without for a while. It was kinda like camping. The down side is now that we have A/C my wife is wearing more clothes. Oh well, I would still rather have A/C.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by targa911S
The down side is now that we have A/C my wife is wearing more clothes.

At least your sense of humor is intact.....good for you.

targa911S · 09-30-2004, 08:11 AM

Hey Rick,
what else ya gonna do? Man if you can't stay cool you get nowhere. Actually I'm pretty proud of the way we all have handled this. Everybody is war weary, but not acting like A-Holes. I think we should have a big statewide party on Nov. 30th, the end of hurricane season. I think I will build a treehouse with my plywood so next year it can blow down on my dopey neighbors house.

smoak · smoak's Garage

Sorta like a Statewide Hurricane Day. I'm down with it. I have a good one, my power was off 5 days last month, my bill was higher somehow that the month prior. What a joke.

id10t · 09-30-2004, 10:39 AM

smoak - not sure where you are, but due to the damage from francis up here in the Gainesville area they had to estimate a lot of meters - just not physically possible to get to 'em to read 'em. Should be corrected on your next bill though..

RoninLB · 10-01-2004, 06:59 PM

Is it true that insurance companies are refusing to write new homeowner policies in Fla? A friend just told me his neighbor can't buy another house 'cause nobody will insure him.

targa911S · 10-02-2004, 05:30 AM

as long as there is a storm anywhere near the state, they cannot write policies. insurance IS pricey though. I pay $1,600.00 per year.

RoninLB · 10-02-2004, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by targa911S

as long as there is a storm anywhere near the state, they cannot write policies.

I guess that means that if a storm is presently in action that they can't write?

I just heard that an ins co went bankrupt today with 60,000 policies.

fwiw, if the situation is "cash is king" W Palm area could be speculator heaven.. and I think that the 44 story condo on Singer Island has to be torn down or remove the top 15 stories?

targa911S · 10-02-2004, 08:36 AM

that's right. You can BUY a home, but not close until you get insurance. I think anywhere in Fla is about to become a buyers mkt. lots of people are talking about leaving. some say as high as 30% of all surveyed