Preparations For Hurricane Florence
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 3 months ago
It’s been light posting lately and will likely continue to be into the following days.
It’s been a long haul to prepare for the hurricane. The power company estimates that between two and three million people will go without power for some unspecified period of time.
The generator has oil and gas, I’ve had to think about a tarp for the machine (they don’t like to run in the rain), we’ve got batteries and flashlights, battery powered fans, protein drinks and bars, extra gas, the truck is topped off with fuel, I’ve bought isobutane canisters for my camping stove for morning coffee without power, and on and on the preparations go.
In addition to that, my company expects me to come into work for a twelve hour shift for “emergency operations” over the weekend, so my wonderful neighbors will handle running the generator for my wife.
I might make a few short posts, but I’ll try to return to normal posting on Monday if we don’t lose power. If we do, then talk amongst yourselves.
On September 14, 2018 at 5:33 am, Jay said:
God bless and stay safe.
On September 14, 2018 at 6:14 am, Duke Norfolk said:
Good luck to you, Herschel. God bless, from Missouri.
On September 14, 2018 at 7:13 am, Handlebar said:
God Bless.
On September 14, 2018 at 7:16 am, ragman said:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of our North/South Carolina neighbors. I have personal experience with one of these things, Andrew in South Dade County, FL. Folks that have not been through this can’t imagine what it’s like. Horrible doesn’t even begin to describe it. However, houses and businesses can and will be rebuilt. Making sure family and friends are safe is our top priority. Our power in Avery County comes from Tennessee and I have always found them to be competent and responsive. For those that have to clear debris and downed trees, please don’t be impatient. After Andrew we were without power for about six weeks and it took six months to rebuild our house. Once again, with confidence in ourselves and faith in the lord we will get through these difficult times.
On September 14, 2018 at 7:24 am, Andy Noles said:
We are just going to have to hunker down ride this out, this will be my 3rd tropical event. It’s not going to be like Hugo but damn the amount of rain we are going to get. Got all my emergency supplies ready. Think I will just jam to some Waylon Jennings tomorrow as ole Flo comes through. This will be the 1st real test of the Generac whole house generator. Stay safe Herschel.
On September 14, 2018 at 7:47 am, Romeo Foxtrot said:
Capt.,
Be safe over there, curious to see what happens to the Cawtaba and other nearby rivers..Lets hope Muddy River distillery makes it thru…
We are prepped over here in Hville too, genie, fuel, etc…as good as we are gonna be me thinks…
Gonna fire up comms equipment, vhf/uhf and monitoring kit too to listen in on things..
On September 14, 2018 at 8:19 am, CA said:
Godspeed
On September 14, 2018 at 8:35 am, jack said:
I don’t think were’ going to get hit so hard up here in Chapel Hill – expecting constant rain and 20-30mph gusts from Friday evening through Monday morning. Biggest challenge will be the amount of water dumped on already super-saturated lands with the concomitant risk of flooding.
My thoughts are with you and the rest who will not be as lucky
On September 14, 2018 at 10:43 am, Matt said:
Good luck and God Bless.
On September 14, 2018 at 12:05 pm, Tdean001 said:
Good luck and God bless, Herschel. Be safe. Looks as though Florence has weakened substantially, but undoubtedly still dangerous.
Be well.
On September 14, 2018 at 4:45 pm, Pat Hines said:
@Herschel
I bought one of these for my 10kw Generac soon after I bought it. It’s worked perfectly, just as advertised.
https://www.amazon.com/GenTent-10k-Running-Cover-3000w-10000w/dp/B00TYQ2G58/
I tested the generator Wednesday, then topped off the tank. It uses gasoline, holds ten gallons, which should last at least two days, or more, without being refueled. I’ll shut it off late at night, then fire it up around 9AM.
On September 14, 2018 at 4:55 pm, Pat Hines said:
This is the generator I own. While it’s technically a portable, you’d need a hydraulic tailgate to load it in your truck. I had a permanent input box installed on one of the deck posts, then they ran the wiring inside to a manual switch over box. The heavy cable running to the outside inlet box handles 50amps. We power the lights, refrigeration, and various outlets in the house. We don’t power the heat pumps, that would require a much larger generator, at least 18,000kw more.
My total investment was about $3,500.00 including a professional wiring job.
https://www.amazon.com/Generac-5802-Starting-Portable-Generator/dp/B001UNK6GY/
On September 14, 2018 at 5:09 pm, Pat Hines said:
@Romeo foxtrot
I’ll be monitoring the Blue Ridge repeater up on the Channel 4 tower, near Caesar’s Head. I have both vhf and uhf, but won’t be scanning around.
I know H’ville very well, my mother lived there for over 40 years. Our bunker is about 8 miles south of the state line, not far off Hwy 25.
On September 14, 2018 at 6:37 pm, scott s. said:
@Pat Hines:
so, those specific loads are wired into the transfer switch, which then selects between normal and emergency power? Do these loads have breakers with the transfer switch, so you don’t use one in the main panel for them (when running on normal power)?
On September 14, 2018 at 9:41 pm, Pat Hines said:
@ Scott S.
Yes, each generator circuit has a breaker. I throw the switch on the generator, then go inside to throw the switch inside. The panel for the generator us next to the two regular breaker boxes. I have two 200 amp boxes,
On September 15, 2018 at 9:33 am, Romeo Foxtrot said:
@ Pat Hines…
Does not look like i can hit that from my QTH, but i can hit the Beast of the East, MT Mitchell, and you might hit it too….
I’m monitoring now, will keep it up, maybe we can QSO..