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?
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...
” 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
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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.
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.
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