Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Storm Upgrade

It is in situations like this, a tropical storm, when you truly find out if you are indeed ready for emergencies. For the most part, we are ready.

I just filled another five gallon container of gas from our reserves for use in our generator. I keep our reserve gasoline in a fifty five gallon barrel in our backyard. (don't tell tell our fire marshal, please) I keep this drum on four columns of concrete blocks with the rear of the drum slightly raised. It has brass fittings for hinge and cover and spigot. The gasoline is treated and I do rotate it between our vehicles.

My generator fires on the first pull. It too is ready for service. We have ample stocks of food. Kerosene hurricane lamps and flashlights with fresh batteries.



I understand the storm has been upgraded and the weather service now predicts wind gust to seventy miles an hour. My main concern are our trees. We have  a LOT of trees. As a matter of fact I'm worried about my truck. It's too big to park alongside our car in the garage unless I move a ton of other equipment and small items out into the rain. If I leave it parked on our street it will sit under two huge pines - not good. If I park on our driveway it will be beneath a large very old Live Oak. No win.

Our street runs downhill towards the river. I can see the river from my front yard. In a few hours water will be as that river on our street, fast and deep. The crabs will move up the streams of water into our yard. The herons and egrets will follow. My neighbors dock will be under water. My other neighbors home which sits on a point of the cove will probably have their living room flooded.   

We are in the path. We will have a direct hit. I hope its nothing more than a bad thunderstorm. I, of course, only wish it a light storm as this will last for several days as it hits, stalls, and then makes a hard northern turn and then back to sea, where, it shall then gain strength and head north towards my lovely friend kymber's home.

Now, I must confess I've been caught with my pants down when it comes to my chainsaws. I own three and all are broke. I just haven't had time this year to have them repaired or replaced. If a tree is pushed over under these hard winds I'm in for a world of pain. I hate, using the word hate here, to ask for help. I have friends willing and able to jump in and help when I need them - but it just kills my soul to ask. I will purchase a new chainsaw as soon as possible. Which will be next week, after the storm.




Standby.

Stephen

52 comments:

  1. WOW. This reminds me of my prior 60 years living in southern Indiana when the ice storms were brewing or a tornado was on its way! Only the new generator never started on the first try so I was always afraid my husband would be on duty when it was needed.

    Hunker down Stephen, hunker down.

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    1. I hunkered down, dear lady. Thanks, rain showers have moved into our area...should be very interesting.

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  2. Stay safe my friend. We have a chainsaw and would gladly offer our services if we were a bit closer!
    We'll see you on the other side of the storm.

    Blessings,
    Red

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    1. I wished I lived near you too. Beautiful country. Thanks, Sweet Red.

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  3. Hang on tight, and hope the truck stays safe.

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  4. Good luck. I hope it's nothing but a light show.

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    1. It appears the storm has intensified and is just below a category one hurricane. Thanks, Borepatch, my friend.

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  5. Stephen,

    Stop hesitating, if you need help ask your friends! Your totally prepared in other ways, which is a good thing. Are you planning on putting up shutters or boarding up? Stay safe, continue to listen to your weather radio. I'm praying you and the family, and hope you just have a brief rain and some lightning and thunder only.

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    1. Sandy, I don't board my windows. They were originally designed for this type of storm. I always hate to ask for help, but never hesitate when my help is needed. Guess I'm just weird that way...thanks, my lovely friend.

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  6. All of us in Florida know it is the season. After all of the nasty winter tornadoes I am expecting a nasty hurricane season. I hope I'm wrong. We have two chainsaws and neither are running either. We know better too. Just can't seem to keep one running.

    I know you are getting hit...I was hoping it would push a little rain to us before it made it's turn but it looks like it's going to fall short. Will say a little prayer for your family's safety.

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    1. This is an awful early season for storms, isn't it. I believe you might get a bit of rain from the storm. Bless you, and thanks, my sweet friend.

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  7. Yell if you need help in the aftermath.

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    1. I will, Bubba. And the same goes for me to you. Firewood should be in abundance later in the week. Thanks, my friend.

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  8. I know you will be OK, We on the other hand would be SOL.
    Stay safe.

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    1. You'll be fine, Rob. Take care of your sweet wife and the Lord will look over you. Thanks, my friend.

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    2. Rob, buddy - you stay safe - you hear?

      your friend,
      kymber

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  9. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)May 27, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Stay safe! All are in our prayers!

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  10. I remember sitting in the old apartment/time share thing we had down in Key West. The first thing I asked when we went down for the first time was why it had a heavy-assed garage door over the porch/deck area and a solid concrete wall instead of a railing. The second year I found out why when we ignored a tropical storm warning and stayed. LOL I will never forget the sound of the Atlantic waves crashing into that garage door and booming and we were on the third floor. I also figured out why that apartment had two doors at each end that year.

    Stay safe and I hope for the best for you and yours!!!

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    1. Yes indeed, construction down here is a bit different. There is a reason why my homes windows are narrow and strong and why the roof is 'tied' by hurricane straps. These storms are not to be taken lightly. Thanks, my friend.

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  11. Oh ya I also learned not to go into the pool after a storm like that too because of the crab activity you mentioned :)

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    1. I catch them in my garage, which wouldn't be so bad if they were bigger, then I eat 'em. But they're little boogers, we call them 'fiddler' crabs.

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  12. Prayers for your and Sweet Wife's safety and that all trees stay standing!

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    1. Thanks, CottonLady, I too pray the trees remain upright. My biggest concern are those darn trees. I spent four grand a few years ago to thin them.

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  13. Hey Stephen,

    Husband can help w/the chain saw situation. Both in fixing and in purchase. I'll send you an email with the information.

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    1. Thanks, my sweet friend. I do need a new one and have a place in mind for its purchase.

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  14. My phone number is 803-422-2491
    If you need help call me.
    I have lots of resources in Florida I can call on to help
    in a pinch.

    If you need me you can call me.
    BE SAFE

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  15. Warlock, my humble thanks. I do have a group of guys with strong backs and sound minds. If they fail me, and they will not, I'll call...and the same from me to you. We're here when you need us. Duke is among the group.

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  16. Boy have we been there. I moved my car several times once. Not sure if the leaning tree or the pines would get it. The leaning tree broke off backwards, that is how strong the wind was.
    I hope you get through it without any damage.

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  17. I am only four hours away from Jacksonville, outside of Columbia SC.....if any of ya'll need to head this way...call me....we will figure it out....

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  18. Stephen - i don't care if you are 2 million miles away - if you need us - you yell! jambaloney would make the drive with our two working chainsaws and he could get there pretty quickly. i know you have your group of excellent men, but if you need us - please let us know. and if you need Warlock, who is a tiny bit closer - yell. that is one awesome friend!

    stay safe, dear sweet one. big hugs to you and Sweet Wife. and make sure that Duke and his, and JUGM and hers and everyone else down there is safe too. our thoughts and prayers, are like usual, with you and yours. your friends,
    kymber and jambaloney

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    1. We're safe as can be at present, my sweet kymber. I'd never make Jamie drive so far...don't worry, I've many friends that will help when needed. We watch over each the other. Thanks, my dear friend.

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  19. Warlock, we as a group are about results, not excuses. Your offer, like stephen said is humbling and greatly appreciated and we are there for you as well.

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  20. We'll bend the Lord's ear with a prayer for you and yours; stay safe and dry, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, prayer is always welcome. God bless.

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  21. You are better prepared than most -by a long shot. I have a 3.5 foot German crosscut saw. A big manual saw like that can deal with some serious trees and you don't have to worry about them starting. They cut surprisingly well.

    Good luck and all the best.

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    1. You know, once upon a time I had a nice crosscut saw too. Then I loaned it out and it never came home. Thank you, my friend.

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  22. I am right here with you Stephen......Secured everything in my yard that I could. Backed my car as far under the carport as possible. Hopefully I have everything I need just in case. Some of my sleeping neighbors have not even bothered securing anything. Earlier I was making sure I knew where candles, batteries, emergency radio and as much other stuff as I could think of is located should the power go out. Any flooding well I can't control that.
    Unusual wouldn't you say Stephen, for this storm to be on this path and hit us directly in this way. Been a while. Doing the best I can with what I have.

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    1. Neighbors can be silly, can't they, Tammy. This storm at this time of year is very strange indeed. I understand its the earliest storm to hit this part of Florida since well before the last century. You seem to have all your emergency plans and equipment well in hand. Well done. Take care and thanks.

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  23. Hold on and I hope it is nothing more than a good thunderstorm for enjoyable book reading. Stay safe.

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    1. It's been quite a ride, Bubba. More to come today. Thanks and take care.

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  24. Stay safe & dry! Best wishes and prayers for you all in the path of the storm.

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  25. Let us know you guys are okay down there. You can feel free to call anytime....I have been monitoring the weather up from up here.....doppler looks nasty and wet....my phone is always on if ya need to call or text.

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    1. As you know, text sent. Thanks, my good friend. Good to have my computer back online.

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  26. Sounds like you've got most bases covered. Good luck, and we'll be thinking of y'all.

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