Posted on 09/24/2017 9:36:04 AM PDT by VRW Conspirator
We were deployed in Orlando to wait out hurricane Irma in a hotel. Our job was to assess the damage after the storm came and went. The power went out in the hotel about 2:00am. Many could not continue to sleep at that time. We watched through the windows and the balconies where we could see the lights going out throughout the area, one by one, as cyclone progressed. If you never been in a hurricane when the wind is blowing in gusts up to 100 miles per hour, well, it is time that will beg you to make it right with your Creator.
In the morning, we were deployed to the west coast, the Tampa Bay Area, particularly to Pinellas County, where we started our work. We road in pairs in vehicles to designated areas to spot downed power lines and poles so we could report that information to the operations. In turn, the line crews would take that information and repair the lines and poles that we identified. 16 hour days with intermittent HUAW (hurry up and wait). The damage was wide spread and logistics was beyond my comprehension. Street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, we rode or walked through to find hot spots and damaged areas.
After a week, we were deployed to Highland County, home of the Sebring Raceway, as this was among the hardest hit of the counties. The raceway was used as a staging area due to access and size. Overnight it became a small city of activity. Dozens and dozens of bucket trucks, tents, portable latrines, sleeping quarters and so on were stationed there. These crews and trucks came from all over Florida, other states and even as far away as Canada. We finished up Friday and were sent home.
Awesome things: As mentioned the hurricane itself, the widespread devastation, miles of poles all leaning to the west, the amount of responders and their trucks. Hundreds of acres of oranges groves.
Tragic things: One house in Pinellas County in the middle of a neighborhood where a tree fell on an energized wire that brought down a pole on the house and the house burned to the ground (owners left, no one hurt). Home owner with special needs kids without power. (Most damaged homes were mobile homes.) Roofs lifted off of homes. Mobile homes utterly destroyed where nothing could be salvaged.
Rotten things. A few citizens were downright hostile to us. One guy got spit on. It was those with the “entitled” mentality. Note that most people were gracious, although they were obviously hot and frustrated by the lack of power.
Nice things: Countless number of people came up to us and asked when they could expect power. Even after telling them that we do not know (we didn’t), they thanked us anyway. In the neighborhoods, the grocery stores, parking lots and restaurants, they came to announce their appreciation. Also, we went through neighborhoods where we saw extension cords going from houses across the roads, across the yards and across fences, so one neighbor could give power from a generator to another neighbor in need. Some people offered food and ice cold water.
Mysterious things: I saw trees, large ones, fallen over, yet missing any structures or cars. These trees should have fallen with the wind direction, thus destroying the house or car, yet they fell in another direction that avoided the destruction.
Funny things: Signs that read “Irma go away”, “Irma, this is the Sunshine State you B----“. Small hills of empty beers cans in remote areas. Farmers, yes they are a hardy bunch and very self-reliant. Had one come up to our truck and ask the usual questions. He also asked when he could get the replacement for a blown transformer on his property. I told him that I would call headquarters and have a helicopter fly it in. We had a good laugh with that.
Anyway, that is my story, I’m sticking to it. We might be deployed to Puerto Rico. 100% out of power. You may think that we have it bad. PR has been blown back to the 19th century.
Bell Tel outside tech in Broward,Dade for 30 plus back to the 60’s. Seen it all.
Never anything to make peace with my maker not even flying the Crib in an HU16e with the CG during some pretty brutal stuff.
Thank for the critique.
When the wind changes direction after the eye wall is past, that’s when everything that got loosened up goes down, wood fences, large trees , etc.
Power companies staged out of the dog track casinos in Dade and Broward.
When Irma was skirting the northern coast of Cuba (T-2 days?), returning from a Dr. appt. in the city, I passed over 60 or 70 large utility pole trucks all heading east on the interstate. 15 or so pickups included in the mix. Each truck had at least 2 people. Good tactical interval. You could tell they knew where they were going.
The kicker is, I live over 1500 miles away in the middle of Kansas!
Interesting, and thanks for sharing.
I live in Anchorage AK. Parts of town routinely get hit with 70 to 90 Kts (or more) of wind. Power outages are rare.
Must be those areas have underground power lines. I wonder why, when rebuilding, the power cos go back to the old 80s technology of power poles.... Just that much cheaper?
Yep. However, most new neighborhoods have underground power.
I used to live in Columbia, MD. All neighborhoods there have underground power and telephone. However, the lines from outside are all above ground. Wasn’t unusual for weather events to knock them out.
Once, a tornado hopped across my area. One of the places it touched down was the local sub-station. I was without power for 12 hours, through a hot and humid night.
bump
Bless you for your work to bring back some normalcy to these ravaged Americans.
FWIW, I saw a *convoy* of six flatbeds loaded high with plywood with Canada tags, headed southerly on I-91; at least it appeared they were headed in the right directions. Prayers continue for some relief for all those ravaged.
Thanks for what you did!
I’m a damage assessor myself. We were gone for about 7 days in GA/FLA. My experience was about the same as yours. Some folks just cannot handle it when reality strikes and they will lash out to show their real selves.
Some white trash hillbilly pulled a shotgun on one of our contractors form out of state. This sort of stuff tends to happen more often as I’ve noticed a huge increase in the mental instability of people over the last few times I’ve been on storm duty.
What gets me is the total disregard for downed lines and folks ignoring orders. I’m sure you’ve seen it too.
I’m glad my 18 hour shifts are over.
Glad you’re back safe!
Old retired power distribution Lineman here...
Too old and beat up physically to help anymore! But Dayyumm! Us tramp Lineman used to LIVE for Stormbreak! We worked 24/7 through unbelievable weather and conditions to bring power to the people!
Prayers Up! For all those crazy high wire act heroes out there!
A boarded up Christmas Store in Pinellas County had this message written on it. Don’t be naughty Irma. Don’t make Santa angry. It is right across the street from the hotel I evacuated to.
I live in Highlands County. I can guarantee you those twerps were transplants, most likely from the northeast. The old time Florida crackers are salt-of-the earth types with good sense.
I certainly appreciate all the dangerous and hot work the linemen did to restore power. We were without for 9 1/2 days.
Be safe...
A small neighborhood in my old area wanted to go underground instead of overhead with their distribution. The cost?
Only $310,000 for the equipment, boring, cable, and labor.
It’s significantly more expensive.
” One guy got spit on. It was those with the “entitled” mentality. “
Of course, that’s because white men are responsible for the hurricane./s
.
Wow...just pathetic. As a member of the Air National Guard I've been on disaster relief missions like Hurricane Iniki in 1992, Rwanda in 1994 and Kaktovik, Alaska in 2005. I saw plenty of grateful people. But I never had anyone lash out at us in anger.
One correction,it is Highlands county. I was wondering why when I was heading east on 98,I would see about 8 of those trucks heading east then turn north on airport rd heading to the airport many times. It is all true about the neighbors helping each other in so many ways. I will never forget the noise of the 105 mph Irma.
You got it. The few people who gave us a hard time were in Pinellas County. Highland County people were more gracious and appreciative. I do not want to take anything away from the good Pinellas people, though.
Interesting that power lines are still above ground in some places. I’ve never owned a house where the utilities were above ground. My experience is limited to Alaska and one winter house in Arizona.
Storm Duty can make for a nice Christmas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.