Although I am one of the fortunate souls who never lost power during Hurricane Sandy, I did lose Internet service. So I spent most of the afternoon walking, listening to the humming of more generators than I knew existed. I saw numerous downed trees, some of them pulled out by the roots. I saw a few homes that lost all their shingles. I saw Upper Nazareth's Volunteer Fire Department at Gracedale, responding to a generator gawn awry.
It appears most of Nazareth, and even beyond, is still in the dark. But it also appears that most everyone is ok.
The line was very long for gas at both the Nazareth Giant and the WaWa on Route 248.
Panera is packed with people who have lost power and want something warm to eat. I took off and gave them some room.
If yoy have any hurricane adventures, feel free to post them here
52 comments:
No adventures, per se. But a some observations:
PPL kicked but. Power was back in 24 hours and their updates were spot on.
Wawa was really well run this a.m, at least during my tour in the coffee line. Well staffed, organized and plenty of hot coffee and breakfast items for those who wanted them.
Both Valley View and Nazareth Diner were hopping and the lines were long outside the door. Would have gone, but we decided to have some fun with the situation and did a "tailgate breakfast" of scrambled eggs, bacon and french toast on the charcoal grill, with bloody marys for the adults.
And then, after the vodka wore off, we got out the chain saws and got to work.
-Clem
I am a totally electric household, and of course the lights are out, but I am somewhat prepared. I have alternative power and I type this on a netbook using my cell phone as a hot spot. I also have a kerosene heater to heat the house. The mrs. and I were speculating when power would be back - we think this weekend. So I decide to get another 5 gallons of fuel.
This is the good part - with all the nearby gas stations out of commission I had to go road warrior and look for fuel.
To the point, I find a station and it is packed! People are filling their trucks multiple gas cans there is beeping of horns, cursing, and a general angst in the air.
They have also run out of kerosene so I am hosed.
I could see if there was a real SHTF scenario things would get ugly within 2 weeks. That scared me.
Preparation is key and being nice to your neighbors is as important as anything else. Good luck all!
I feel we were pretty fortunate considering what most people are going thru as I write this. Our power was ONLY, and I say only, out from 9 pm Monday nite to dinner time Tuesday. No water damage.
Watched tv tonite & saw the NJ Shore area, Breezy Pointe & NYC & my heart went out to all those people & knew how lucky I was.
Buy a good portable generator that can run your house. Make sure you have an electrician install a transfer switch and you are good to go. Power outages are becoming the norm in the Lehigh Valley.
My power was never lost but believe it or not I had stored in a battery pack 6 hrs of electical storage to keep the lights going if power was lost. But my story is that my exhange student from Sweden was befriended by a woman who worked at the school he attended and she invited him to ride out the storm with her Swedish-American family. She said that there would be a power outage where I lived and that wouldn't happen where she live. I don't know if there was or was not a power outage at her home but there sure was no power outage at my home. And the major inter-city artery known as Union Boulevard in Allentown is open for business. Last point - my exchange student has stated that schools always remain open in Sweden but he has endured or enjoyed two days of wind and rain related school closures and a third day of school closure today. Maybe I will see him again Thursday but maybe not,
OBAMA....I mean.....
OBUMA is a HURRICANE!!
A 26 year old public worker, a Police Officer, has made the ultimate sacrifice on Long Island during the storm.
This young man gave his life assisting in the rescue of a family trapped by rising flood water. All this transpired less than a few hundred miles from here.
A regular commenter on this site recently called public secttor workers "swine". That comment and others like it have been allowed to stand.
Power has been out since 10 pm Monday night in eastern Salisbury. Massive tree came down on some major power lines. Too bad your blog does not show pictures so I could share. Glad I watch all those Little House on the Prairie shows as a kid to learn how to survive. Had to wait until came to work to check everything such as e-mail.
PippySqueek, Feel free to send your pics to BOHare5948@aol.com and I will load.
Bernie:
Any suggestions on where to go for volunteer efforts for getting things back up to normal? I don't have money to donate, but I can donate my time. Please let me know if you hear of anything. Thanks.
10:23, The officer in question was helping his own family. While his actions are noble, the actions of public sector unions are not.
"This is the good part - with all the nearby gas stations out of commission I had to go road warrior and look for fuel."
Move over, Mel Gibson!
I'm hopping on my bike today. Yesterday, I hoofed it most places, although I did drive to panera.
"Buy a good portable generator that can run your house. Make sure you have an electrician install a transfer switch and you are good to go. Power outages are becoming the norm in the Lehigh Valley"
I could hear them all over yesterday.
"- my exchange student has stated that schools always remain open in Sweden but he has endured or enjoyed two days of wind and rain related school closures and a third day of school closure today. Maybe I will see him again Thursday but maybe not,"
Interesting story. Thanks.
"Would have gone, but we decided to have some fun with the situation and did a "tailgate breakfast" of scrambled eggs, bacon and french toast on the charcoal grill, with bloody marys for the adults."
Vodka and chain saws??
10:55, If you have time for volunteer efforts, i would suggest the Red Cross. http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1229589.jsp
Was the union called "swine" or were workers called "swine".
A retorical question.
A generator that would power your house would be very large and quite a major investment, well beyound the reach for many folks.
A Long Island policeman was shot and killed in the line of duty last week.
Whatever these public servants earn it is not enough.
It is doubtful that this man or his family enjoyed a 14% tax rate or overseas tax shelters.
I have great respect for police officers and teachers, but have none for their unions, which rape the rest of us.
Things here in Bugtussle (aka Portland/Mt Bethel)were kinda bad.
The wind was ferocious; there were literally small tree branches driven into the ground in my front yard. No actual damage to my house.
There were at least 6 enormous trees completely uprooted down the lane I live on. Turkey Ridge road was the same, along with power lines down.
As of this AM, 611 was blocked off in Portland (going towards Stroudsbug).
611 to 512 was clear, as was 512 to Bangor. Mt Bethel PO is open for PO Box pick up only.
191 was clear from Bangor to the Weis in Blue Valley (as far as I drove). Weis had been open, but when I pulled in (around 9AM), they had just put up a "closed till further notice" sign.
The Turkey Hill on 191 is open with gas, and it was pandemonium. You'll have a LOOOOONG wait.
The Penn Jersey marts on 191 and 512 were open, but for cash non gas purchases only.
I am at my neighbor's house using their internet (we lost power around 4:30 Monday afternoon and they have a generator) so I can work remotely. My office in Morristown is without power except for generators used to cool the servers. All of the roads through Warren & Morris county that I would use for my commute are either closed or difficult to navigate. 80 is open, and I could take 287 in, but (A) there's no power there and (B) even though I have a full tank of gas, there's no telling where/when I'll be able to replenish.
That's the story from my neck of the woods.
It wasn't you who called them disrespectful, nasty names BOH, but you are certainly aware which of your commenter it was.
At that time you chose to say nothing.
Sounds like the public sector folks in Hanover Twp did some good work. It's good to to know that common working people all up and down the east coast are ready and willing to serve their communities.
God bless them one and all.
I am unaware of anyone attempting to bring public sector unions into this discussion but you. And no, I have no idea which of my commenters called public sector union members swine. Finally, HT is non-union. Shal I therefore argue that we can thank God the place is not union or nothing would get done? Please leave the unions out of this. Stop politicizing everything.
Untouched, Great report! I was wondering about the Slate Belt.
@11:53
I never mentioned unions sir.
I simply thanked everyday folks who work in the public sector.
Allow me to salute those good working folks who serve us so well in the private sector as well. The PPL people have been wonderful.
It's working people who power this country, who make things, who do actual labor who are the everyday unsung heros.
You refer to an anonymous comment that characterizes public sector union members as swine. I think I know what you were doing. Stop being a sophist.
I am impressed that the normally crazy driving population here in center city is handling the dead traffic light VERY well.
A pleasant surprise!
Clem made the swine comment Bernie. Or someone using his name.
You know it and so do your readers.
One way or the other I'm glad to see you have removed it.
Thank you for that.
Um, Clem made no mention of swine. Now you are just making shit up. Lying. You really do no favor to public sector unions when you can't even tell the truth.
You're welcome, Bernie. Will try to get some pictures tomorrow & send them to you.
UT
NPR All Things Considered:
Moments ago-------
An off-duty NYPD Police Officer died yesterday after sucessfullf rescuing members of his family of six, including a 15 month old child. The young first responder drowned after returning to the basement of a flooded building to insure no additional people were left behind.
Most first responders will risk their lives to assist people who they have never known simply because they see it as their sworn duty.
As a father and grandfather, i grieve for this brave young man. My heart and prayers go out tonight to all the fine Americans, public or private sector, union or non-union,who will work long hours away from their own families, and who will consistently put themselves in harms way so that we may be home with our loved ones.
These extraordinary people deserve our full and enduring appreciation and thanks.
May God bless them this night, and speed their safe return to their own loved ones arms.
...... and may they be justly compensated, in this life and the next.
By the Grace of God, Amen.
i am a CWA union worker who just got off a 16hr sunday! 18hr monday! 17hr tuesday! 19hr now!! do not want to hear the bullshit that unions are no good!! we are out there when the shit(bad ass weather)hits the fan!! and all you people stop by and give us shit!! why not say thank you!! oh by the way, i missed my dauthers birthday, to keep you NA SAYERS in service!!
CWA is NOT a public sector union. By the way, thanks for driving T-Mobile's Call Center out of the LV. It only cost us 600 jobs. You really showed them.
But I will drop the crap for a moment and will say thank you for all your hard work these past few days. I have seen you everywhere the past two days, and know it must have been very tough. You are appreciated. And i have nothing against private sector unions and think they are needed.
not all locals are shity!! look up norther parts of norco we always work thru are contracts!! you are able to do you "job" every nite!! you are able to do bike rides! all unions! make this happen!! did you go out and clean off your streets of all the tree limbs? no! your PUBLIC SECTOR unions!!
Now I assume you are not the CWA dude, but someone else bc we both know CWA is NOT a public sector union. I'll assume you are SEIU, the same union that complained when a boy scout decided to clean the litter off the path in a public park. Or maybe you're AFSCME, the same union that took up the cause of a sexual harasser and went all the way to the Supreme Court to defend this pig.
There is, in my opinion, no reason for public sector unions. Your employer is not some greedy corporation, but the taxpayer. For some reason, you seem to think i have some obligation to clean the streets while bike riding. But if I did, you'd complain that I'm taking away union work.
i think you are a great guy! but please lay-off unions!! we are what MADE this great country off YOURS AND MINE!! IF YOU COULD GET A BETTER PAYCHECK & BENIFITS WOULD YOU SAY "NO SORRY, I DON'T WANT IT"
no i am a telco employe that gets sick of the crap you say about unions!! i do respect you alot!! just PLEASE lay-off "UNIONS"
Because of unions that sucked the lifeblood from places like Gracedale dry, it may have to close. They can't even have a proper generator for that facility. They may have to close and evacuate everyone in this time of trouble due to something as not being able to have a decent generator because of unions always worrying about themselves first. And screw everyone else later. Well they probably screwed themselves and everyone else down the road out of Gracedale for years to come. I hope your short-sightedness makes you proud to wear your union label.
I agree that unions made this country great. No question about it. But I am talking about private sector unions. You belong to a private sector union so I have no quarrel with you. I do have a problem with public sector unions. From what I am told, many private sector guys agree with me. I'll tell you what. I'll refrain from any anti-public sector union comments for the rest of the week, just in honor of the hard work you have done.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD!! PLEASE DO NOT BLAME ALL UNIONS FOR THE VOTE!! IT IS THE U.S.A. WAY!! RON ANGLE FOR PRES. YOU FOR V.P. I'M TELLING YOU I THINK YOU HAVE A GREAT THING GOINGHERE! I LOVE TO READ YOU WHEN I CAN, BUT LOOK AT THE BIGG PICTURE!! UNIONS NOT ONLY BUILT AMERICA, BUT WE WILL & ARE BRINGING IT BACK(WE WILL PASS CHINA) BACK!!!
SORRY DID NOT SEE U 1123 DID REALY ENJOY! DO LOVE YOUR BLOG!! BY THE WAY I'M A 1ST TIMER! LOOKING FOWARD TO MAYBE MORE CONFO'S LIKE THESE! GOOD NITE
I'd agree about Ron. But even I would never vote for me for anything. I know me.
I consider Ron Angle a good friend in a world where good friends are hard to find. I adore his wife Sharon, and really like his two sons. In a way, I hope he stays out of politics bc so many are always after him He speaks truth to power, a rare commodity in a politician.
A.M. THAT IS THE TRUTH!! SEE WE CAN AGREE! I MUST GET UP @4AM THANK YOU
your last words: "He" in the middle of a sentance? ME do respect the guy but "He"? Me do hope a typo?
"Bernie O'Hare said...
"Would have gone, but we decided to have some fun with the situation and did a "tailgate breakfast" of scrambled eggs, bacon and french toast on the charcoal grill, with bloody marys for the adults."
Vodka and chain saws??
11:02 AM"
I think I said we waited until "after the vodka wore off". Actually, we had a drink with our breakfast and didn't start cutting until a couple of hours later.
Anyway, to clear up the "swine" thing, another commenter used that particular term in an interaction with me on another post. That douche brought up cops and firefighters when they were not even the subject of the discussion at hand. However, when discussing the public unions (all of them) I certainly use the terms troughfeeder and pig euphemistically, so the that's where the sophist is coming from and I get that.
I get it, but, tough shit. I never want to see anyone suffer injury or death. I would challenge anyone here to find one instance where I said anything that could, even by the most disingenous leftwing toady here, be interpreted as such. The arguments are economic and political, albeit using illustrative rhetoric that drives response.
However, when one chooses public service - protective service, in particular- as their vocation, they know the risks before the first day on the job. There is no conscription to public service. And people die in all kinds of occupations that are noble. Healthcare professional contract AIDS and other illnesses while helping other people. Volunteers and missionaries contract disease and are attacked and killed delivering help in third world nations. Truckers crash while delivering the food you need to your local supermarket. Soldiers die, in combat and in peacetime exercises and accidents (yet the local union libs would love to hack the hell out of the defense budget rather than sacrifice any of their own spoils). Civilians die, every day, helping other civilians.
The sacrifices made "in the line of duty" are to be commended and respected. But the risks undertaken by public employees, of their own volition, do not give them cart blanche with the public credit card, nor the right to extort.
-Clem
Update from the Slate Belt:
All major roads - 611, 191, 512 - seem to be open including 611 up to Stroudsburg.
A tree and power line is still down at the intersection of Middle Village and Jacoby Creek Roads.
The conflagration at the Turkey Hill on 191 has been corraled on to a side street, but there are at least two road construction projects going on up that way, so watch for road crews.
Weis Market in Blue Valley is open and can accept electronic payments.
At least part of Bangor has power - I'm using the internet at a house that does. My part of Mt Bethel is still without power; the Mt Bethel Diner (my bellwether of all things important in Mt Bethel) is still closed as is the gas station/convenience store across the street from the diner, Mighty Fine Swine (you all *must* go there when they reopen...very nice people and really good food) and most of the little places up 611.
The Mt Bethel Fire Department hall is open for coffee and charging of electronics. I'm sorry to report that bingo has been cancelled for tonight.
I have photos, but am not on my laptop...will upload them as soon as possible.
Clem(angle)and O'Hare are two miserable people who want to live in the 17th century. I hope you get the "public service" you would have got bacdk then. Yoiu are both constantly trashing public employuees and most people who work for a living.
Since O'Hare lives off Angle as does Clem, you don't have any place to attack real working people.
You are both angry miserable people, who shall reap what you sow, so sayeth the Lord.
Go take your drug cocktail.
Additional update from the Slate Belt
Bangor seems to have full power.
Yesterday afternoon, at least 10 Progress Utility trucks and a gaggle of crewmen were on 611 near the Mt Bethel fire station.
This AM, the Mt Bethel Diner is open, as is the Sunoco across the street...and yes, there's a line, but nothing like the one at Turkey Hill yesterday.
Downtown Portland has power & the Penn Jersey station is open there.
Past that, I can say that my area of Mt Bethel (off of Turkey Ridge Road) is still without power. Turkey Ridge from Boulder on down to town is blocked off. I suspect the line is still down there, and I believe that's what powers a good portion of my area.
Sounds like they are moving in the right direction, Untouched. Bob Mateff told Council last night that the Slate belt was hit hardest of all, but you knew that.
Bernie:
Here's an update on Upper Mt Bethel:
Everything seems to be back to quasi-normal.
Except, of course, where I live :D
Turkey Ridge Road as far as I can tell is completely without power from Church Street in Portland at least as far up as Gallery Lane. It's been out since 4:30 PM on Monday, 10.29.
Before I make the following statement, I'd like to say I've (A) checked the official website for Upper Mount Bethel Township and (B) the Facebook page for Upper Mount Bethel Township.
A lot of people don't like Sal Panto for a variety of reasons, none of which I'll get into here.
Sal is a FB friend of mine; I only known him socially and very briefly at that.
He was *ALL OVER* Facebook this past week. Not on the Easton page or any "official" page, but on his own personal page. There were multiple daily updates from him telling residents where the utility crews were working at any given time, where power had been restored, where you could get gas/charge your devices/find food/shelter - whatever. I mean he was *everywhere*.
Upper Mount Bethel officials?
The "official" Upper Mount Bethel FB page is a "like" only page - it contains the brief township bio from Wikipedia.
I even checked the "We Don't Want A Prison in UMBT" page - the last post there was May 9th.
I honestly don't know why UMBT doesn't have an active FB presence. You know where I got what little information I had about what was going on in UMBT? From the Mt Bethel Diner.
I don't have an active Twitter account, so there may well have been a presence there, but as it stands, UMBT social media presence seems to be zilch. I think they should definitely investigate becoming more modern in their approach to notifying residents in times like this.
UT
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