TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

About 25 years ago, Hurricane Fran came straight to Raleigh, NC, which is known as the “City of Oaks” - it’s heavily wooded. The result looked like a nuclear weapon had detonated. We lost 34 large trees on my property with 8 across our driveway. No power for two weeks and no cable/internet/phone for a month. According to the records, the max wind gust was 71 knots. Isaias is following a similar path and due to pass just east of Raleigh about 2 AM. Projected max wind gusts of 69 knots. That may not sound like much, but our 100’ shallowly rooted Oaks only see this type of wind once a generation and they fall like dominos, taking utilities and houses with them. When I saw the hundred Duke Power trucks and crews staged at the State Fairgrounds this morning, I knew we were in trouble.

We are surrounded by 75-100’ trees, at least 10 of which can reach the house, so there will be lots of prayers tonight that nothing trashes the house. Generator and chainsaw ready, preps made and supplies laid in - nothing to do but wait for the disaster. May not be commenting for awhile. Wish us luck.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Good luck. I will be praying for you. Please, stay safe!

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Best of luck to all.
Keep us posted if possible.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I will be praying for you.

You shouldn’t have to avoid both falling trees and Covid simultaneously.

Susan yamakawa

Here in Clayton,N.C.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Good luck. Being from La. I know just how you feel.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Good luck Susan - stay safe.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Well, we have the plague and the flood - I’m waiting for the swarms of locusts 😱

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I'm in Fayetteville and also have oaks. Floyd took out my biggest and Matthew took another. All of mine can fall on the house so I, too, am praying they hang tight. I am in the city so if we lose power it should be restored in hours but I don't look forward to those hours without AC.

Good Luck!!! I'll be praying for all of us.

Dodie

Ollieboy

As a retired utility worker I'm sure your local utility provider (Duke Power) has many preemptive plans and assets allocated in strategic areas. Up here in NYC we had to deal with superstorm Sandy in 2012. Have faith in your utility workers as I'm sure they will work around the clock to restore power. Good luck and stay safe.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Good luck Dodie!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thank you. The utility workers are always great guys and work long, long days at times like this. Be sure to offer them both thanks and some refreshments when they get to you. Be sure to turn off (or pull) your main breaker if you’re running a generator so you don’t “backfeed” power into downed lines being worked.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Stay safe and have a plan.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks for the good wishes and prayers everyone. Having been through a couple of these, I have a plan and am prepared as much as you can, but unfortunately, the hurricane has a mind of its own and is not subject to my wishes. If you haven’t been through a natural disaster, there’s a whole list of things you can’t get the day afterwards. The most precious commodity is ice, after that it’s water, cold beer, generators, cords and plugs associated with generators, batteries, flashlights, candles, propane, chainsaws and chains, bow saws, gas cans, gas and cash (no electricity, no gas pumps or cash machines), and of course staple groceries like bread and milk, etc.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have a flashlight that uses AA batteries - after several such experiences I discovered that AA batteries are in stock long after the others. I always refill our cars a couple of days before the storm hits, figuring we can always use it to recharge batteries, but we never have enough bad weather to justify my buying a real generator.