The Weather..... (Auburn: loans, vs., oil)

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Maineah

As Acadianlion is always pointing out(and justifiably so) Maine is no utopia. If you move here thinking everything will be sunshine ,roses and an occasional snow storm you're in for a rude awakening! You really have no idea!

But this is occasional, isn't it?

[forest beekeeper]

Does anyone know, how many Mainers are without power today?

When went into town for a couple items we need for a party this evening. The radio was saying that thousands are still without power down South [NH and Mass].

Are there many in Maine still withut power?

[CoastalMaine]

I just spoke with my DD about an hour ago. She lives in Sterling, Ma., just a bit north of Worcester. They've not had power since the storm, the cell tower must have been knocked down because they've got intermittent coverage, they lost 29 trees, and they had a chimney fire!!! There are power lines and trees down all over their street. The town hasn't even been to their street yet.

The fire department had to cut downed trees on the street to get to their house. The couldn't go up the road, they had to take a circuitous route. They told them if the chimney fire had happened the night of the storm, the house would have burned to the ground because they wouldn't have been able to reach them. They put a thermal camera up inside the chimney and saw lots of 'hot spots' on their walls where it would have spontaneously combusted in short order.

Their house is now 32 degrees and they have no generator. I could bring my 5k one up to them, but the road is impassable with trees still down, ice all over, and power lines laying across it. The insurance adjuster is on the way. I guess he's going to walk up the hill? Their county was just declared a federal disaster area.

They're not expected to get power back for another few days. I don't know how they're going to keep their pipes from freezing with just having a fire in the fireplace. I expect the adjuster will be back for water damage once a thaw happens.

[island mermaid]

Oh, poor DD. That sounds horrible. I hope they can do something to prevent the pipes from freezing. Sending good thoughts to Sterling.

Power was restored to most of West Harpswell last night!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

I just spoke with my DD about an hour ago. She lives in Sterling, Ma., just a bit north of Worcester. They've not had power since the storm, the cell tower must have been knocked down because they've got intermittent coverage, they lost 29 trees, and they had a chimney fire!!! There are power lines and trees down all over their street. The town hasn't even been to their street yet.

The fire department had to cut downed trees on the street to get to their house. The couldn't go up the road, they had to take a circuitous route. They told them if the chimney fire had happened the night of the storm, the house would have burned to the ground because they wouldn't have been able to reach them. They put a thermal camera up inside the chimney and saw lots of 'hot spots' on their walls where it would have spontaneously combusted in short order.

Their house is now 32 degrees and they have no generator. I could bring my 5k one up to them, but the road is impassable with trees still down, ice all over, and power lines laying across it. The insurance adjuster is on the way. I guess he's going to walk up the hill? Their county was just declared a federal disaster area.

They're not expected to get power back for another few days. I don't know how they're going to keep their pipes from freezing with just having a fire in the fireplace. I expect the adjuster will be back for water damage once a thaw happens.

Parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire got nailed as hard as we did in '98. It's no picnic and folks down that way have less in the way of back up heat and water sources. They are very lucky their house is still standing. Do they know how to drain the pipes?? If so they had better do it before they burst in the walls!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Does anyone know, how many Mainers are without power today?

When went into town for a couple items we need for a party this evening. The radio was saying that thousands are still without power down South [NH and Mass].

Are there many in Maine still withut power?

Outlying penninsulas and islands are still without power and probably won't have it for a few more days. NH and Mass, faired far worse than Maine did this time.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire got nailed as hard as we did in '98. It's no picnic and folks down that way have less in the way of back up heat and water sources. They are very lucky their house is still standing. Do they know how to drain the pipes?? If so they had better do it before they burst in the walls!

Bless you!!!! I was so disconcerted by the news from her, I didn't even think of draining the pipes and her DH is NOT a handy home guy at all!!!! Now I'm calling to tell them what to do, but of course the call isn't being completed! GEESUM!!!!

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Great Post AlisonL!
People who have never lived without power in a place where the tempurature dips into the teens may think the ice is pretty and the downed trees and branches are no big deal, but as you know, it is a big deal and nothing to laugh about or trivialize. People die trying to keep warm during these lenghty outage situations....that isn't funny. A small misjudgement on the use of a propane,k-1 ,or generator inside the home can be fatal. It happens every time there is long power outage or ice storm. Ice is pretty but can also be deadly.

OK Maineah, I've thought about this for a while......................
I think it's really good that your telling people this..........many people reading this are from climates where cold is never an issue. Coastal dwellers will have some experience with power outages and damage because of hurricanes though. Just know though that many us live in areas where cold is not usually an issue, but sometimes winter does come. About 7 or 8 (can't remember) years ago we had a vicious ice storm come thru here (Charlotte area) We had no power for 5 days and it was cold We had a dinky insert fireplace, but we kept it burning We cooked on the gas grill and most importantly found a way to make coffee Everytime bad winter weather comes we have to hear the repeated warning of generators in the house etc......people here have less experience with all that.

My point is that you'd be crazy NOT to be prepared in a place like Maine!Especially rural areas. You know without a doubt that winter is coming and that power outages are common, right? Who in their right mind would put a generator in their home! In your climate don't people just know not to do that?!!! If people are caught with their pants down, I'm sorry for them, but they shouldn't be surprised!!!!! It's winter (I will make an exception for the elderly, of course)

I don't expect any one to come rescue me I can chop wood, I can cook without electricity,( I do it every time I go tent camping) I understand roughing it My boys have camped when it was in the teens and been toasty warm, you know the BoyScout motto BE PREPARED

So some people that want to move to Maine might just be OK

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

Bless you!!!! I was so disconcerted by the news from her, I didn't even think of draining the pipes and her DH is NOT a handy home guy at all!!!! Now I'm calling to tell them what to do, but of course the call isn't being completed! GEESUM!!!!

Lets all pray for their safety.

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

I just spoke with my DD about an hour ago. She lives in Sterling, Ma., just a bit north of Worcester. They've not had power since the storm, the cell tower must have been knocked down because they've got intermittent coverage, they lost 29 trees, and they had a chimney fire!!! There are power lines and trees down all over their street. The town hasn't even been to their street yet.

The fire department had to cut downed trees on the street to get to their house. The couldn't go up the road, they had to take a circuitous route. They told them if the chimney fire had happened the night of the storm, the house would have burned to the ground because they wouldn't have been able to reach them. They put a thermal camera up inside the chimney and saw lots of 'hot spots' on their walls where it would have spontaneously combusted in short order.

Their house is now 32 degrees and they have no generator. I could bring my 5k one up to them, but the road is impassable with trees still down, ice all over, and power lines laying across it. The insurance adjuster is on the way. I guess he's going to walk up the hill? Their county was just declared a federal disaster area.

They're not expected to get power back for another few days. I don't know how they're going to keep their pipes from freezing with just having a fire in the fireplace. I expect the adjuster will be back for water damage once a thaw happens.

Oh Coastal!!! It's scary to think about your daughters house catching on fire, Thank God that didn't happen! Do they have someplace they can go? Neighbors?

Didn't think about pipes bursting! They do tell people about that, right? on the radio, etc? We have gas hot water heater, so freezing pipes has never been a problem. Wow, that could be a real mess A lot of damage..........