I moved to New Hampshire just in time to catch one of the worst storms to hit the Northeast for a long time. Utility lines are down all over my town, including right across the street where a tree fell in to the wires for my neighborhood. Right now my house has no power, no heat, and no running water. Estimates say it will be a week longer before we get these restored. Some folks are expressing doubt that we'll get cable, internet, or phone back before the end of the year.
Many of my colleagues are in similar situations. Some are even worse off - fallen trees across many roads has meant that the only way in or out of some neighborhoods is on foot. Naturally, the roads have to be cleared before the utility trucks and repairmen can come in to repair the damage. I heard sounds that I hadn't heard since toughing out the Blizzard of '77 in Buffalo, NY - the sound of trees cracking under the crush of winter weather. They can sound like gunshots. Its sad, and heartbreaking.
There were a couple times during the storm when I felt genuinely scared.
First was during the storms when I heard loud, sustained cracks from these trees, and was bracing myself for the sickening crunch of a tree falling on the house or on one of the cars. The next morning I found three trees and countless branches fallen in the yard.
The second was trying to find a way out of my town. When I saw the destruction on my street alone, I was worried that I might be in the same state as some of my colleagues. I drove over fallen power lines, dodged fallen trees, avoid roads closed by trees, and eased under partially fallen power lines hanging across the road like some sort of alien garrote. The risks didn't end with leaving my neighborhood. As I went down a road that would take me out of New Hampshire, falling branches and ice started thundering down on top of my roof. This was probably the most terrifying part of the storm...something much larger could come falling on my car at any time, and there would be nothing I could do about it. Fortunately, I was able to get through the area without any serious damage. I was breathing a lot easier once I got in to Northern Massachusetts, which also had extensive power outages but not as many road closures or road hazards.
The other question was...where to go? My office was up and running on a generator and had heat, running water, and internet access...although the building that housed the employee showers did not have a generator.
I had a hotel in mind, a Comfort Inn. I dreaded calling. My business travel experience has told me how far up hotel rates go as availability dwindles. This time, however, would be different. I called the hotel. They said they only had single rooms left, but if that was permissible, they would offer me the room at a special rate. I had to pay an extra $10.00 a day in "pet rent", but gladly did knowing my little orange kitty would be safe with me as well. I called at the right moment, when I got to the hotel about an hour later, they had rented their last available room. I mention the name of the chain because they have really gone above and beyond. They could have been storm profiteers and commanded top dollar for their rooms, but they didn't. As such, they're making it possible for little Franklin and I to have a safe place to stay.
Ironically, my hotel isn't too far from where I used to live. I'm wishing I never left Northern Mass.
Photo Essays:
http://www.unionleader.com/uploads/media-items/slideshows/IceStormDay2121308/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/New-E...stormneweng;_ylt=AjssqlGkmY2BdTYHgj5CmJlH2ocA
Many of my colleagues are in similar situations. Some are even worse off - fallen trees across many roads has meant that the only way in or out of some neighborhoods is on foot. Naturally, the roads have to be cleared before the utility trucks and repairmen can come in to repair the damage. I heard sounds that I hadn't heard since toughing out the Blizzard of '77 in Buffalo, NY - the sound of trees cracking under the crush of winter weather. They can sound like gunshots. Its sad, and heartbreaking.
There were a couple times during the storm when I felt genuinely scared.
First was during the storms when I heard loud, sustained cracks from these trees, and was bracing myself for the sickening crunch of a tree falling on the house or on one of the cars. The next morning I found three trees and countless branches fallen in the yard.
The second was trying to find a way out of my town. When I saw the destruction on my street alone, I was worried that I might be in the same state as some of my colleagues. I drove over fallen power lines, dodged fallen trees, avoid roads closed by trees, and eased under partially fallen power lines hanging across the road like some sort of alien garrote. The risks didn't end with leaving my neighborhood. As I went down a road that would take me out of New Hampshire, falling branches and ice started thundering down on top of my roof. This was probably the most terrifying part of the storm...something much larger could come falling on my car at any time, and there would be nothing I could do about it. Fortunately, I was able to get through the area without any serious damage. I was breathing a lot easier once I got in to Northern Massachusetts, which also had extensive power outages but not as many road closures or road hazards.
The other question was...where to go? My office was up and running on a generator and had heat, running water, and internet access...although the building that housed the employee showers did not have a generator.
I had a hotel in mind, a Comfort Inn. I dreaded calling. My business travel experience has told me how far up hotel rates go as availability dwindles. This time, however, would be different. I called the hotel. They said they only had single rooms left, but if that was permissible, they would offer me the room at a special rate. I had to pay an extra $10.00 a day in "pet rent", but gladly did knowing my little orange kitty would be safe with me as well. I called at the right moment, when I got to the hotel about an hour later, they had rented their last available room. I mention the name of the chain because they have really gone above and beyond. They could have been storm profiteers and commanded top dollar for their rooms, but they didn't. As such, they're making it possible for little Franklin and I to have a safe place to stay.
Ironically, my hotel isn't too far from where I used to live. I'm wishing I never left Northern Mass.
Photo Essays:
http://www.unionleader.com/uploads/media-items/slideshows/IceStormDay2121308/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/New-E...stormneweng;_ylt=AjssqlGkmY2BdTYHgj5CmJlH2ocA
