Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

[Stuart F.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Right Tom, you perhaps in the U.P. or on the East shore of Lake Michigan? I trust then you're saying that with tongue in cheek, Ha! You're talking to a former Chicago boy who lived up wind from you.

Stu Fox

[Tom M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Right Tom, you perhaps in the U.P. or on the East shore of Lake Michigan? I trust then you're saying that with tongue in cheek, Ha! You're talking to a former Chicago boy who lived up wind from you.

Stu Fox

Yes Stu, Just kidding LOL
Lions will beat Da Bears

[Brady C.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Gustav brought 80 - 90 mph sustained to New Iberia / Lafayette with widespread power outage with tree damage. Luckily we were spared structural damage... Saying it will take weeks for some areas further south to regain power. We were lucky, with full power restored late tonight....

Our thanks to all those that are helping in the recovery.. I saw numerous ambulances and utilitiy crews today from PA, VA and other areas....

Regards,
Brady Como
# 42793

[Terry M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Almost 80% of the line crews I dispatch (contractor crews - about 80 men) have gone south for hurricane duty. I wish it meant time off for me, but they have some second-stringers in and it is taking longer to get less done.

The utility I work for is sending some full-time employees down to help also. I don't have numbers and duration yet, but we are working on the premise of at least two weeks for the damage from Gustav. No one wants to talk about Hanna yet, but we will be there to help if needed. My personal guess is that two weeks is too short, BWDIK.

[Mark S.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

My 65 and 70 are in my garage in Beaufort, SC. I'm in Japan. I'm waiting to see how Hanna progresses. If it is still heading toward SC and looks to be gaining strength I'll probably evacuate the corvettes to further inland.

[Steven B.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Whatever happened to the good old American names for hurricanes?? They are all named after illegal aliens now.

Just a thought, but the U.S. is usually the last stop for these hurricanes, and after plowing through all the islands between Cuba and Africa, they end up here. Many other islands and nationalities endure these before we do, hence the international names that are picked. The World Meteorological Organization, made up of all the nations involved, names them. Contrary to public belief, hurricanes are not exclusive to the U.S. and either are their names.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Terry;

We can't say enough about how great the job is you and the other utilities do during these storm crises, as well as all the responders. Having lived through the storms of 04 down here I can speak from first hand experiences and observations. There were crews from all over the country; utilities, tree trimmers, construction - you name it. Hundreds of pickup trucks with makeshift high side trailers hauling cleared debris 24/7 - it was very impressive. Sure, many were here for the money, but that's what it takes to get things done. You can't expect people to volunteer their time and capital equipment strictly out of the goodness of their hearts, though many did.

Still and all, that's when it is indeed proud to be an American - to see so many people involved in the effort to help with the recovery. I recall in particular for months after the storms, when flying into OIA, you could see a sea of blue tarped roofs on the approach, all thanks to Home Depot and Lowe's. They pre-staged 90 some semi trucks full of needed supplies in the basement of the Convention Center. Florida has this down to a science and, thankfully, the other States around the Gulf are finally learning how to deal with these storms.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Stu,

Thanks for the kind words. I'm too old for that traveling kind of stuff, and what I do is not transferable to another locale -- so I stay behinds.

I know the young bucks enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done when they are able to bring power to folks who have been without for a while. I pray they stay safe and healthy while they are gone. If you see some crews from Trench-It or UtilX, ask them if they work around Chicago. They might be my people.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Terry;

I'll keep an eye out for them as I've made a note of the names you listed. Hopefully we won't need their help this time, but I'm sure we will during the years I hope to still be kicking about.

Chicago is my old stomping grounds too so it would be nice to see some folks from home, regardless of the circumstances.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

My guys (UtiliX and Trench-It) were sent to Mississippi, but they are working for Florida Power & Light. Those guys left sometime between Friday and Monday. The regular utility workers (20 crews from ComEd) left Tuesday on a two-day trip. I haven't found out yet where they are going, but it is just a matter of finding the right person to ask. Of course they all might wind up in Florida, Georgia or wherever else they are needed.

[Tom R.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

anyone over there on the South Eastern seaboard that's gettin' ready for her? My cousin moved his 73 today out of Jacksonville and will be following with getting his family out of there by Wed. of this week, if needed.

Marty

Well got up this morning and we're in the sights of Hanna (Myrtle beach, SC).

Tell your cousin to stay put...he's good to go.

[Tom R.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Have a two car garage with minimum width doors with a reinforced concrete beam over each. We added the center (removable) bars to supplement the side to side locking bars on each door.

Hey Stu...next time you're in the garage with a camera and the bars in place...shoot me a photo.

I've got a roll door rated at 110 but the other is a standard garage needing some reinforcement.

[Bryan M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Almost 80% of the line crews I dispatch (contractor crews - about 80 men) have gone south for hurricane duty. I wish it meant time off for me, but they have some second-stringers in and it is taking longer to get less done.

The utility I work for is sending some full-time employees down to help also. I don't have numbers and duration yet, but we are working on the premise of at least two weeks for the damage from Gustav. No one wants to talk about Hanna yet, but we will be there to help if needed. My personal guess is that two weeks is too short, BWDIK.

Hats off to you and all the men who do the storm work for utilities. My Dad is a retired Lineman and my uncle is still going strong at 70. He just want quit.

[Terry M.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

Thanks Bryan.

I just found out ComEd (the utility I work for) sent 34 crews (60-75 people), trucks, trailers and assorted support personel to Baton Rouge for Gustav work.

Talk about a road tour -- that is over 900 miles in a line truck. NOT much fun there, and then work 16-hour days for two weeks, only to do the road tour again to get back.

[Martin N.]

Re: Gustav's here and Hanna's coming....

TOM-
We vacationed just North of you. We rented a house on Hilton Head Island in 2007 and stayed 10 days, absolutely beautiful there. Cousin called Tues. and said it looked like they were going to stay-put. Sounds like you better batten down the hatches yourself! Take care, be safe and GOD speed.

Marty