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.
I was visiting family in the Orlando area during Hurricane Irma and spent five days with them while the power was out. Although there is much public appreciation for the repair crews, there is also considerable anger at the power companies. It appears that for reasons of cost, routine line maintenance and tree trimming were neglected. Utility company promises to storm harden the transmission system have been proved mostly illusory.
From a resident of Pinellas County, THANK YOU!!! Did you make it to the big feed at Seminole High School? There are far more of us thanking you than spitting on you, that is for sure!
My brother’s line crew from NY got down there before the storm. He’s still down there. Had five phones stolen by the people they’re trying to help.
So glad for the work you and your fellow linesman do. I have been in Florida for only 4 years. I saw what great work the power workers did in Maine for 18 years. My Atlantic beach community was evacuated for Mathew and Irma since I lived here but I was already visiting Maine both times. I know we got speacial treatment because we have skilled nursing and an assisted living units. I ate my ice cream when I got back because the power was out less than two days. The street curbs were already pile high with the logs, limbs and leaves cleaned up from the lawns and streets. I don’t know how it was done in a week. Pickup is slower but not crucial.
Thanks again.
Larry
Bump
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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.”
SO it’s cheaper - *this time*, how many times does the overhead system have to be replaced before someone figures out underground is - in the long run - less expensive?
Most folks get sticker shock from the up front costs of OH/UG distribution.
You are correct, the time wasted on repairs, outages, trees, maintenance, animal guards, & long sustained outages more than makes up for it with UG distribution.
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