Power failure (again)

[ctenophore]

So PEPCO dropped on me again. Power went out about 9:45, I gave it an hour and called in, the recording said it would be restored by 5am. Ugh. Went through the drill with the generator, got the flow pumps & misc. stuff hooked up (in the rain of course) and just as I plug the last thing in, whaddya know it comes back on. A good practice run of the backup system I guess. I should be able to do this with my eyes closed next time (had to do it by flashlight this time). Good thing I changed the oil and kept gas on hand from last month.

 

I suppose if I didn't have this 130lb, 18 cubic foot hunk of steel to trip over in my garage, the power would still be out, probably until 5pm tomorrow.

 

Maryland needs to take lessons from Florida on how to rig up power infrastructure to withstand these "storms". I can count the number of times on one hand in FL that I lost power long enough to need a generator, and two of those were from Cat 3+ hurricanes. Up here, it seems like we lose it whenever a front rolls in.

[treesprite]

was it really that bad in Rockville with the rain? Someone said when I was at work that there was a tornado warning in VA, but in gaithersburg we've just had light to moderate rain with a little thinder for a brief period of time. Lightly raining at present.

[Hilary]

I was on the GW Parkway when it hit - BIG mistake. Very heavy rain, lots of lightening, branches coming down, standing water..... Yuck. Glad the power didn't stay out for long up there. Here in Arlington I never lost it (no clocks blinking when I got home).

[tygger]

Glad it came back on... even after all that work. Do you have a shelter for the generator or were you just planning on leaving it out in the rain?

[trble81]

It was about 9:30 when we were watching the sky constantly flicker and the rain pour down and we said, "wonder if the power will go out?"....then....bbeeeeeeuuuuuuu...power out until midnight.

 

I agree with the relative wussy-ness of the grid in this area (we're BGE up here)...

[Almon]

I'm in Laurel and I had power the entire time.

 

Do you think you had in good in Florida? I have lived in this house, in Laurel MD with power from BGE, for 20 years, and I have lost power long enough to need a generator only once. It lasted 28 hours during the hurricane 5 years ago. I had no generator, no battery power air pumps, and it may be surprising to most, but I lost nothing. Everything survived (mostly fish and softies).

 

I realize everyone else in the area has many power outages. I feel like I'm one of the lucky few.

[Highland Reefer]

Justin,

 

With the set-up you have, I would seriously think about putting in a back up electric panel box with a feed plug for your generator. All you would have to do then is start up your generator. You can get these transfer boxes at Home Depot with the transfer switch for about $200.00 You could have your generator in a small ventilated shed protected from the weather. I think your problem is all those grand old trees in your neighborhood. I have the same problem & one of these days I will install a backup panel also. Do they have real trees in Florida?

Edited July 24, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[Brian Ward]

DC put all their powerlines underground years ago to prevent power outages during storms.

[ctenophore]

Justin,

 

With the set-up you have, I would seriously think about putting in a back up electric panel box with a feed plug for your generator. All you would have to do then is start up your generator. You can get these transfer boxes at Home Depot with the transfer switch for about $200.00 You could have your generator in a small ventilated shed protected from the weather. I think your problem is all those grand old trees in your neighborhood. I have the same problem & one of these days I will install a backup panel also.

One of those is on my list as soon as the greenhouse is done.

 

Do they have real trees in Florida?

You mean these?

[Amuze]

was it really that bad in Rockville with the rain? Someone said when I was at work that there was a tornado warning in VA, but in gaithersburg we've just had light to moderate rain with a little thinder for a brief period of time. Lightly raining at present.

 

We stood on the porch as it came inton Fairfax. There were funnels in the clouds as they passed over. We counted 6 of them. After that there was nothing really. Seems like spots were passed over while others were hit harder. I don't like the way the news channels here present their weather warnings. A tornando warning should only ever be used when an actual tornado is spotted on the ground and can be tracked. They were making it sound like one was on the ground in Gainesville and Centreville when there wasn't. Real annoying if you ask me. My Mom was raised in Oklahoma. People out here act like the world's coming to an end at the first beep on their Television.

Edited July 24, 2008 by audible

[jason the filter freak]

I'm in Laurel and I had power the entire time.

 

 

Ditto.

Sorry about it though justin.

[Highland Reefer]

You mean these?

 

Live Oaks & Water Oaks, ahh yes I forgot about those majestic old trees with the Spanish Moss hanging down. But, they are not like the Populars Poplars & Silver Maples, with weak limbs & grow over 100 feet tall. You have the Populars Poplars & poor Ric has those nasty old silver maples all over Chevy Chase. I still have memories of the War Zone of tree trucks going into Chevy Chase every day for about a month after the Hugh down draft quite a few years ago. IMHO, the Populars, Sycamores & Silver Maples are the worst trees to plant & the County keeps planting them everywhere and to add insult to injury, the County keeps planting 100 ft. trees right under power & telephone lines. Then in 10 to 15 years, the tree companies have to start cutting these same trees back. We are paying to plant the trees & then paying to have them cut back until they die & then pay to have them removed & then pay to have them re-planted. If you ask me, the County & State are a bunch of morons.

Edited July 26, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[lanman]

By 'populars' - do you mean actual poplar trees, or 'Tulip Poplar' (which is actually a Liriodendron, not a poplar)??

 

Tulip poplars are moderately fast growing, and produce a decent hardwood - but you're right, they tend to split and drop large branches as they age.

 

(They also supply a large percentage of the 'honey' in the state of Virginia. The flowers drip with nectar in the spring)

 

bob

[Highland Reefer]

I need to borrow Ybe's spell-checker.

 

Liriodendron tulipifera: also called tuliptree, tulip-poplar, white-poplar, whitewood, yellow poplar or tulip tree (commonly referred to in this area as poplar) are the largest native tree in our area. Some have been reported to reach 180' tall and 500 years old. They grow fast & tend to be weak limbed as a result. They are also very susceptible to rot disease. In many cases, homeowers are not aware their tree has been hollowed out in the center until it falls on their house. I have been in 4 houses and one barn that were cut in half by poplars this year alone. IMHO, there are plenty of other trees that the County & State can plant that are much more appropriate for urban streets & homes (say under 30' in height). 100'+ trees are not one of them. These trees should be left in our forest areas.

 

It is also interesting to me that the Emerald Ash Tree Borer has been known about for quite some time up north & all expectations were that this pest would get here eventually (just like the Gypsy Moth). The County & State apparently do not ask the right people which trees they should plant, because they have been planting ashes for the last two years quite frequently. Now this ash borer is here & wiping out all the trees they planted in PG County and they are still planting the Ash trees everywhere.

 

Edited July 26, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[Freezerburn]

Maryland needs to take lessons from Florida on how to rig up power infrastructure to withstand these "storms". I can count the number of times on one hand in FL that I lost power long enough to need a generator, and two of those were from Cat 3+ hurricanes. Up here, it seems like we lose it whenever a front rolls in.

 

I think the biggest lesson Florida could teach is have a army of power trucks with full crews waiting. Last time a hurricane came in the power company took over half the walmart parking lot and another half of another larger parking lot. They staged up ready to work after the hurricane passed. I'm not sure if it's a question of build, but more like man power.