Power's return could take weeks in Ky., Ark. (And A New Storm is Coming)

Associated Press ^ | January 29th 2009 | KRISTIN M. HALL

[justa-hairyape]

PADUCAH, Ky. – Storm-battered residents of several states hunkered down in frigid homes and shelters Thursday, expecting to spend at least a week without power and waiting in long lines to buy generators, firewood, groceries and bottled water.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Some power crews from West Virginia arrived in E-Town late last night with some emergency generators for the local water pumping stations, which are still on a boil alert due to possible groundwater contamination.

My brother-in-law's sister drove up from her home south of Nashville with a generator she'd bought for their parents who live up in Meade County. The Meade County Electric Co-op is in so much trouble they don't know where to start. Their main lines were cut, so they zero power output through the entire Co-op, and have no idea when they are going to fix it.

[The Cajun]

Great minds think alike.

It's really sad to have to waste time doing things like that, but these are the times we live in. As far as I'm concerned anyone stealing a generator in an extreme emergency situation is risking his life.

[justa-hairyape]

One of the forecasts was saying that when the storm gets up into the northeast, the backside might pull down some Arctic air from Canada ? That could mean that the coldest will be around the Eastern Pennsylvania area on the backside ?

[eyedigress]

You may get a signifcant event by Monday night but no ice.

[hiredhand]

Thanks!

[Stonewall Jackson]

I live in E-Town, about twenty miles from your mom. If your can't get a hold of her by tomorrow, let me know and I'll see if I can get over to Clarkson and check on her for you. Most of the main roads are fairly clear and I have 4-wheel drive, so I should be able to make the trip without too much trouble, and I know that it would help put your mind to ease.

FReepmail me in the morning if you want me to do this.

[oldvike]

No problem. Stay warm!

[eyedigress]

My guess is anyting W of the Appalachian Trail big snow. By the time the cold air circles the low most of moisture will have departed.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

We were without power the 27th and got it back for just six hours on the 28th. Out again till about 7:00 this evening.

We got lots of lamps and extra oil, city water and natural gas with two bottles propane for back up. Plenty of food. We weathered the storm good.

Lots of broken trees, branches and plenty of ice. today it warmed up and the ice began to fall off the trees, making it hazardous to walk around.

[Old Sarge]

We are preparing to move out of the hotel, and hide out at a relative’s place with power and water still.

Nothing west of Dixie Highway has power unless you make it yourself. FIL’s nursing home is on backup power, all the residents are in the dining room with space heaters.

My Guard unit already had generator crews ready to help, but those guys are going to get tired quick...

[eyedigress]

If the center tracks east of you, expect lots of snow.

[gidget7]

Where west of the Appalachians? Last I heard, it was suppose to warm up and the East is expecting rain.

[eyedigress]

That is terrible, hopefully this weekends warm-up will let people get a good chance to cleanup.

[justa-hairyape]

Curfew in effect in Newport because of dangerous ice

Northern Arkansas is in a world of hurt. Thousands of customers are still without power. Damage from the ice storm has also knocked out all communications with the central command center of the Northern Arkansas Electric Cooperative.

That includes not just power but phone lines and internet access. Crews made progress but it didn't last. More problems surfaced Thursday afternoon, this time caused by melting ice. With no power and no heat it could be weeks before everything is back up and running.

[gidget7]

Same here ,but my Mother is in SW KY. My brothers are close by and they have 2 generators, so they can fire up the pumps and the fridges periodically. And Mom has a wood stove. They also have grills, and covered porches, so my guess is a lot of cooking and coffee making will be done on them. They should be ok. Can't find anything on their town though.

[gidget7]

How far south of you is a mess, have you heard? I saw in this article one mention of Radcliff. But that was it.

[justa-hairyape]

Warmup on Friday and Saturday in the extreme southeast. Sunday a Tropical Low collides with a Pacific Northwester riding down the Jet Stream. Collision occurs in East Texas Louisiana. Then the combined monster storm is supposed to ride up the jet stream into the northeast. Predicting the track it will take is difficult. Could be tracking up west of the Appalachians, along their spine or east of the Appalachians. All just predictions at present. They will probably know more by late Friday and early Saturday.

[gidget7]

My prayers to you Mother. In her favor is the fact the their generation is a whole lot tougher than younger generations. They are a lot more resourceful and seem to take it a lot more in stride too.

Wondering if anyone is in the Hodgenville area? There are a few here from Etown, but no idea if anyone has any information on Hodgenville.

[gidget7]

May he rest in peace.

Where in Western KY are you?

[gidget7]

Good advice. oldvike is right though, KY is awesome when it comes the being neighborly and helpful. The folks really watch out for each other.