The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: rat31465 on September 02, 2010, 07:22:51 AM

Title: Hurricane Earl
Post by: rat31465 on September 02, 2010, 07:22:51 AM
My job as a Transporter keeps me busy running the roads all over the State of Missouri.  Yesterday I made a trip from Carthage which is in the Southwest corner of the State, up to Farmington, which is in the North Eastern part of the State. 
Overall I drove a little more thany 660 miles, with most of it being on I-44 yesterday and I noticed that there was a steady stream of Electrical Line Utility trucks and crews heading East bound.   I quit counting the trucks when I reached 140. 
They were traveling in groups of three or more and many of them pulled trailers loaded down with poles....I assume these trucks and crews are heading east towards the coast being staged for the arrival of Hurricane Earl.
If you live in the path of this storm then you have all my best wishes for your safety...
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: MikeBjerum on September 02, 2010, 08:40:23 AM
Electric utility repair has become a huge business.  For decades water, sewer and storm water have been contracted out.  In recent years many private companies have been formed to repair and replace electrical infrastructures.  Many communities no longer do their own large project, and some don't even do their own planned maintenance replacement.  Our community can make one phone call and have a fleet of six trucks with crews and equipment here within 48 hours.  The good thing with this is that when a storm hits you can have hundreds if not thousands of crews on site in short order without deserting the needs of the rest of the nation.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: DaverZ on September 02, 2010, 08:59:30 AM
it was the same when hurricane charlie ripped through here.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 02, 2010, 11:00:14 AM
Won't do much good if the roads are blocked by down tree's and wires .
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: r_w on September 02, 2010, 02:45:48 PM
Won't do much good if the roads are blocked by down tree's and wires .

Which is probably why I saw convoys of tree trimmers, log skidders, and US Forest Service fire/EMS vehicles.

Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: jaybet on September 02, 2010, 02:52:31 PM
Just an FYI guys...looks like the Carolinas are going to get a piece of Earl and I hope it's not too bad. I don't know what the MSM is telling everyone but I suspect they're making it a huge emergency before it really is (as in slow news week). My sister just called me from San Diego wondering if we were getting washed away here in NJ. I told her, no, the sun's out and the cicadas are screaming and it's supposed to rain tomorrow.

These storms are never good for someone, but the media has to stop turning everything into a circus before the fact.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: fightingquaker13 on September 02, 2010, 03:31:19 PM
Just an FYI guys...looks like the Carolinas are going to get a piece of Earl and I hope it's not too bad. I don't know what the MSM is telling everyone but I suspect they're making it a huge emergency before it really is (as in slow news week). My sister just called me from San Diego wondering if we were getting washed away here in NJ. I told her, no, the sun's out and the cicadas are screaming and it's supposed to rain tomorrow.

These storms are never good for someone, but the media has to stop turning everything into a circus before the fact.
They don't suck for Wally World and Lowe's. Maybe the hype is an advertising scheme, we guarantee x hours of wall to wall coverage for any storm within a thousand miles? :-\
FQ13
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: twyacht on September 02, 2010, 05:45:53 PM
I wonder if those rich residents on Cape Cod, will be needing FEMA help,,all those rich Yankees an all,...... ;)
 
Wonder if Sen. John Kerry, (he served in Vietnam ya' know) moved his fancy new blow boat,..... ;)
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: MikeBjerum on September 02, 2010, 06:07:35 PM
Won't do much good if the roads are blocked by down tree's and wires .

That is what they are there for!

They just start there and work their way through.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Timothy on September 02, 2010, 06:45:10 PM
I lived in tornado alley, a little blow from Earl ain't no thing.....I'm two miles from the coast now and I ain't going anywhere...I can accept mother nature in all her glory...
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Badgersmilk on September 02, 2010, 06:51:02 PM
I was actually looking forward to a little action off of Earl (It's not that scary when your prepared).  This is as "wild" as it got for Myrtle Beach...

Wave's are about 4'.  There's sea weed and little jellyfish (size of a .50 pc) washed up all over the beach.
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010825.jpg?t=1283471393)
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Ulmus on September 02, 2010, 08:24:53 PM
Its good to see the gov is actually prepped for something like they were then Charlie went through.

Cat 4 ain't no joke.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: jaybet on September 03, 2010, 05:24:03 AM
I lived in tornado alley, a little blow from Earl ain't no thing.....I'm two miles from the coast now and I ain't going anywhere...I can accept mother nature in all her glory...
Hey Tim....I'm talking trash because I grew up riding out hurricanes. Your 'egoing to be 2 miles from the ocean in a place where most of the storms have petered out a bit when they reach you- cold water and all. If you ever hear you've got Cat 4 coming- sometimes even 3, and it's going to hit you right on the head, PLEASE get out of the way. it's different than a tornado and there's no getting away from the worst of it once it arrives.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Badgersmilk on September 03, 2010, 11:30:52 AM
Hurricane Preparedness Rule #1:  Have a plan on getting your family the heck out of town!

Anything else comes after that!  Whether you want to ride it out or not, it's crazy to not be prepared to run for it when you need to!  Mother nature is NO JOKE!!!

We have yet to see a hurricane, but I was in a F4 tornado in Texas once.  That was enough!
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: fightingquaker13 on September 03, 2010, 12:00:11 PM
Hurricane Preparedness Rule #1:  Have a plan on getting your family the heck out of town!

Anything else comes after that!  Whether you want to ride it out or not, it's crazy to not be prepared to run for it when you need to!  Mother nature is NO JOKE!!!

We have yet to see a hurricane, but I was in a F4 tornado in Texas once.  That was enough!
Actually, rule number 1 is to see whether getting out of town is even an option. In lot of coastal areas, population density makes that impossible. One or two roads in and out, and way too many folks trying to use them. Running out of gas stiuck in traffic on the interstate is a vey real possibility. You also aren't the only one who will think about using the backroads (if there are any). Sometimes hunkering down, while not ideal, may be the least bad option. This is something you should figure out ahead of time and plan accordingly.
FQ13 who is stuck staying home and hoping that the shutters hold and the creek don't rise. :-\
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Hazcat on September 03, 2010, 12:07:21 PM
Hurricane Preparedness Rule #1:  Make sure you have enough BOOZE! ;)
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Solus on September 03, 2010, 12:14:44 PM
Ice Cream Cones.

Eat Ice Cream Cones.

There is not one documented case where someone was killed by a hurricane while eating an Ice Cream Cone.
Title: Re: Hurricane Earl
Post by: Timothy on September 03, 2010, 12:17:27 PM
Hey Tim....I'm talking trash because I grew up riding out hurricanes. Your 'egoing to be 2 miles from the ocean in a place where most of the storms have petered out a bit when they reach you- cold water and all. If you ever hear you've got Cat 4 coming- sometimes even 3, and it's going to hit you right on the head, PLEASE get out of the way. it's different than a tornado and there's no getting away from the worst of it once it arrives.

Roger That Jay, I said LITTLE BLOW....I've seen one Cat 4 and I don't plan on seeing another up close...

Good Sage advice, just like on TBD Survival, get out and get out early!

 ;)