What's taking so long to restore power

[Mkrop]

This may not be applicable, and it doesn't help people who don't have smart phones, but I've learned that the best way to get vital information in a storm is facebook and twitter. Both my power company and my town's fire department have facebook and twitter accounts that they use to keep customers/residents notified of vital information. The power company posts updates on where they're working, how many people are still without power, weather warnings, etc. The fire department posts about shelters/warming stations. Might be worth looking into.

But then people also need to look into how to charge those smart phones, bc for a short while you can charge in your car but then if you are trying to conserve gas, you need another means. We bought a radio that has a handcrank that can also charge a cell phone. But I have never tried it yet, I think I will test it tomorrow.

 

[auntie]

The no crime is a lie. People are looting. Looters make me sick.

There has indeed been looting. My son in law has three uncles and a cousin in the Rockaways and they are all armed.The men were determined to stay with their homes without heat or light. Their wives and children are staying with relatives. There was an attempt to enter one of their homes during the night last week.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

But then people also need to look into how to charge those smart phones, bc for a short while you can charge in your car but then if you are trying to conserve gas, you need another means. We bought a radio that has a handcrank that can also charge a cell phone. But I have never tried it yet, I think I will test it tomorrow.

My phone charges without the car running. You can also get a jump pack with a built in inverter and then get a solar battery charger to charge the batteries. One of those will charge a laptop too.

 

[Mkrop]

My phone charges without the car running. You can also get a jump pack with a built in inverter and then get a solar battery charger to charge the batteries. One of those will charge a laptop too.

Hmmm my car wont do that but it is a 2003, maybe that is why

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Hmmm my car wont do that but it is a 2003, maybe that is why

LMAO - So is mine. Some will, some will not It's the only thing that saves me when we have power outages. Plus the bonus is that my phone car charger also charges my Kindle!

 

[kamik86]

LMAO - So is mine. Some will, some will not It's the only thing that saves me when we have power outages. Plus the bonus is that my phone car charger also charges my Kindle!

There is a limit to how much you can charge your phone without running the car though. Think about it, the charge is coming off the car battery. If you don't run the car to crank the alternator eventually you will drain your car battery. Do it long enough and you can't start your car. I don't know how many charges it would take though.

To be on the safe side after a charge or two I would want to start the car for a few min to let the car battery recharge. Still a valid option but just wanted to post this in case you ever are unfortunately in this situation and don't think of that.

 

[monarchsfan16]

But then people also need to look into how to charge those smart phones, bc for a short while you can charge in your car but then if you are trying to conserve gas, you need another means. We bought a radio that has a handcrank that can also charge a cell phone. But I have never tried it yet, I think I will test it tomorrow.

Until your laptop dies you can also charge your phone off that battery. We've had a LOT of extended power outages in the last few years. I've learned that if a storm is coming, EVERY laptop needs to be charged, the cell doesn't leave the charger until the power goes out, or the storm is gone, and the car has a full tank of gas.

The other thing is, it's clear that a lot of people are using some sort of mobile device (Ipad? Cell phone?) because they're online right now. So if you HAVE access to vital info, share with your neighbors.

And I know that we're lucky, but our fire dept opens all our stations when a decent percentage of town is without power, regardless of whether overnight shelters are needed or not. They make it clear that we are welcome just for charging cell phones if that's what we want, to take showers, or just to warm up. And they always stock the stations with lots of bottled water since 99% of the town has well water. You'd be surprised where you can turn for resources.

 

[Aliceacc]

Our church has been wonderful about providing hot coffee and tea, hot meals, and letting people charge whatever they need to plug in.

And for the record, I was in the incredibly lucky "10%" who never lost power. (Well, unless you count the 90 minutes Saturday morning when they turned it off to work on the grid. I don't. We did lose part of the roof, but not power.)

 

[hereyago]

Did I specifically quote you???? NO!

But to say no one is whining on this thread is a stretch.

Devastation is devasation and for all that are affected it sucks. That we can agree on, but to say other things dont factor into response time is inaccurate. People have no heat and it was extremely cold with several feet of snow on the ground. This affected one of the largest, densely populated cities in the country. It affected Wall St. NYC is a major metropolis and the way the mayor and others have handled this crisis is disgraceful. His press conference on Sat before the storm poo pooed the whole storm. We were watching closely bc DH's new job is out of there. Then a day later, he is warning people to evacuate, where NJ was telling people to get out from the get go and their officials have done an amazing job getting things done and communicating to the residents. THAT is what people are complaining about, the mismanagement of this diaster.

And I dont know about other areas of the country, but our powe company PECO always encourges/ed us to call them to get updates and to report outtages, so that is why we call them.

Ok first I never said you qouted me,but. It is a message board that everyone can voice their opion on. You wrtote that some of us who had been through a disaster were unsympathetic . I wrote that none of us flat out told peop e to stop whining even though a couple posters were showing whining and what can be construed as arrogance(not you mkrop). I am very sympathetic and at the same time, people don't grasp this was just not a 1 state deal. Oh and NYC mayor as you said a couple days before Sandy holy crap even I was yelling at the tv what a dumb butt he was.

 

[foreUT]

They haven't been here much because they weren't really needed in NYC. The mayor told them to go to places where they were needed. We have cops - our police force is larger than that of most nations. This isn't New Orleans; their force is a couple thousand officers or fewer, so when many couldn't get to work it became a major law enforcement problem.

I'm so very glad that is the case. Unfortunately, when I read reports, such as this, I really worry about the residents being victimized even more by looters.

'Governor Cuomo also acted quickly by activating the National Guard prior to the storm, and I urge him to allocate as many troops as possible to Brooklyn—troops from New York or any other states that can spare them,' said Mr Markowitz in a statement.
'The devastation is so widespread and overwhelming that it’s in the best interest of all of our residents for a more significant National Guard presence to supplement the great work being done by our brave—but overwhelmed—first responders.
'In addition to flooding, power outages, lack of utilities, sanitation and water issues, and no transportation in neighborhoods such as Coney Island, Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, DUMBO, Red Hook and others, there have been unfortunate incidents of looting in some locations.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ven-momma-got-outta-house-loot-new-shirt.html

 

[leight]

Originally from LI- moved to tampa 8 yrs ago- so we have a lot of family and friends that are affected by this disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I have a cousin who is a linesman based out of LI. He spent several months helping out in New Orleans after Katrina and he has said that this is much worse- because of the way its being handled. The locals had no help for days- old comrades from the Katrina days were ready to come and help but were being told to wait to get the proper letter for the union. I remember how we hated LIPA when they were new... I've heard from friends and families that they have done nothing better since we left.

My nephew is an EMT for the RedCross in the Bronx. He's been working non stop. There biggest frustration are the people who didn't heed the evacuation warnings. Its spreading thin the help available. There were reports of supplies in the Staten Island mayor's office with no way to let people know where they could get them.

I'm hearing that FEMA is a nightmare to work with and now that some are getting funds from the organization they are finding it impossible to get housing even with the money in hand. You would definately think that worse case scenarios would have contingency plans- especially in one of the most densly populated areas in the country.

Collections from our neighborhood have had a hard time getting to the north- originally we had them going with local firefighters but they didn't have enough room, now we had to rent a truck and collect for that cost and fuel- and all of that is less we have to give to those affected. Hugs to all- we are thinking of you and sending help!

 

[hereyago]

Did I specifically quote you???? NO!

But to say no one is whining on this thread is a stretch.

Devastation is devasation and for all that are affected it sucks. That we can agree on, but to say other things dont factor into response time is inaccurate. People have no heat and it was extremely cold with several feet of snow on the ground. This affected one of the largest, densely populated cities in the country. It affected Wall St. NYC is a major metropolis and the way the mayor and others have handled this crisis is disgraceful. His press conference on Sat before the storm poo pooed the whole storm. We were watching closely bc DH's new job is out of there. Then a day later, he is warning people to evacuate, where NJ was telling people to get out from the get go and their officials have done an amazing job getting things done and communicating to the residents. THAT is what people are complaining about, the mismanagement of this diaster.

And I dont know about other areas of the country, but our powe company PECO always encourges/ed us to call them to get updates and to report outtages, so that is why we call them.

Ok first I never said you qouted me,but. It is a message board that everyone can voice their opion on. You wrtote that some of us who had been through a disaster were unsympathetic . I wrote that none of us flat out told peop e to stop whining even though a couple posters were showing whining and what can be construed as arrogance(not you mkrop). I am very sympathetic and at the same time, people don't grasp this was just not a 1 state deal. Oh and NYC mayor as you said a couple days before Sandy holy crap even I was yelling at the tv what a dumb butt he was.

 

[hereyago]

This thread is about people not having power yet,those of us have expierenced the same thing in our disasters. I do get the impression that since this happened to NYC and NJ esepcially with the east coast comment they think it should be turned on faster. Well no it doesn't happen that way. Too cold or too hot are equally bad i do stand behind my statement that people need to depend on themselves to be the first to save themselves and it seems every disaster that was warned of in advance have people not taking it seriously or think local state or federal government is going to fix everything in a flash.

 

[cornflake]

I'm so very glad that is the case. Unfortunately, when I read reports, such as this, I really worry about the residents being victimized even more by looters.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ven-momma-got-outta-house-loot-new-shirt.html

First, honestly, the Daily Mail isn't known as a source of news. It's a total joke of a tabloid - a british tabloid to boot - by which I just mean the people 'writing' for it aren't at all familiar with the area, even if it were a real newspaper.

There are U.S. papers and news orgs covering the story - local papers and stations include the NY Times, NY Daily News, NY Newsday, WNBC, WCBS, WABC, NY1, etc.

Second, Marty Markowitz can say whatever he likes but it's not going to bring the national guard and he knows it - he wants more cops, he should ask for them.

The mayor's position was that we really don't need the national guard policing New York City at this point - that we have the NYPD and shouldn't have people unfamiliar with the area or populace walking around armed. There are areas with much smaller police forces that can't handle the areas affected, so he said the guard should deploy there, where there's more need.

The news the other day said extra cops had been sent to patrol some area that was still without power and very deserted, to deter looters. I'm sure they're not stopping everything but there's apparently an eye toward that kind of deployment.

 

[foreUT]

But then people also need to look into how to charge those smart phones, bc for a short while you can charge in your car but then if you are trying to conserve gas, you need another means. We bought a radio that has a handcrank that can also charge a cell phone. But I have never tried it yet, I think I will test it tomorrow.

Would you mind sharing where you bought that? Sounds like a great idea for a Xmas gift.

 

[foreUT]

First, honestly, the Daily Mail isn't known as a source of news. It's a total joke of a tabloid - a british tabloid to boot - by which I just mean the people 'writing' for it aren't at all familiar with the area, even if it were a real newspaper.

There are U.S. papers and news orgs covering the story - local papers and stations include the NY Times, NY Daily News, NY Newsday, WNBC, WCBS, WABC, NY1, etc.

Second, Marty Markowitz can say whatever he likes but it's not going to bring the national guard and he knows it - he wants more cops, he should ask for them.

The mayor's position was that we really don't need the national guard policing New York City at this point - that we have the NYPD and shouldn't have people unfamiliar with the area or populace walking around armed. There are areas with much smaller police forces that can't handle the areas affected, so he said the guard should deploy there, where there's more need.

The news the other day said extra cops had been sent to patrol some area that was still without power and very deserted, to deter looters. I'm sure they're not stopping everything but there's apparently an eye toward that kind of deployment.

I'm sorry if my use of that publication for Mr. Markowitz's comments was offensive; I was trying to find the Borough President's quote that referenced the NG and that source did so. I honestly did not realize that the source negated the validity of the quote. I am glad that all seems to be more than safe with NYPD on patrol and sorry that I rushed to believe that things were more dire than they actually were, based on what I believed was Mr. Markowitz's initial request for the NG.

 

[cornflake]

I'm sorry if my use of that publication for Mr. Markowitz's comments was offensive; I was trying to find the Borough President's quote that referenced the NG and that source did so. I honestly did not realize that the source negated the validity of the quote. I am glad that all seems to be more than safe with NYPD on patrol and sorry that I rushed to believe that things were more dire than they actually were, based on what I believed was Mr. Markowitz's initial request for the NG.

Oh it wasn't offensive; I totally didn't mean to imply that! I only meant that it's, you know, like a silly tabloid. It's mostly celebrity gossip and things meant to shock.

The quote I presume is real, didn't mean to imply it wasn't, but that was what I meant by saying the Daily Mail is British. There are a lot of politics involved in Markowitz saying what he said - the job of mayor is going to be free next year, among other things. I think he was more making hay than anything, though obviously anyone is free to interpret for themselves.

 

[foreUT]

Oh it wasn't offensive; I totally didn't mean to imply that! I only meant that it's, you know, like a silly tabloid. It's mostly celebrity gossip and things meant to shock.

The quote I presume is real, didn't mean to imply it wasn't, but that was what I meant by saying the Daily Mail is British. There are a lot of politics involved in Markowitz saying what he said - the job of mayor is going to be free next year, among other things. I think he was more making hay than anything, though obviously anyone is free to interpret for themselves.

Thanks for the clarification! It is too bad that politics often rears its ugly head during disasters! However, I had remembered Mr. Markowitz's request for the NG the first few days (which I read initially somewhere else ) and was concerned that perhaps people were not being assisted as much as they could have been. I hate for resources to be available and not accessed. So glad that you have a great police force to "serve and protect."

 

[Mkrop]

Would you mind sharing where you bought that? Sounds like a great idea for a Xmas gift.

My mom actually got one for myself and my brothers for Christmas. I believe she got it at LL Bean.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/70657?feat=506476-GN2&page=solar-emergency-weather-radio

 

[foreUT]

My mom actually got one for myself and my brothers for Christmas. I believe she got it at LL Bean.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/70657?feat=506476-GN2&page=solar-emergency-weather-radio

Thanks! I really appreciate the information!