After four days the power company finally showed up and turned the electricity to my home back on when a crew from Fort Wayne, Indiana reset a transformer. As soon as the crew replaced a fuse and hit the reset switch the hum of air conditioners could be heard filling the air on a warm Sunday summer evening. And it was kind of weird because the lights came on almost four days to the time they went out on Wednesday night. Both nights it was about eight o'clock.
As far as surviving, I don't think I have been more uncomfortable as when I went to bed on Thursday night. But I was fortunate because by Friday night the air temperature had cooled off into the mid 60s and I slept like a baby both Friday and Saturday nights.
I know civilization made it for thousands of years without air conditioning, but now living without it is quite an ordeal. Still, I was lucky. My power did come back on and I was able to go to the store this afternoon and restock most of the food and frozen items I threw out because they were no longer frozen or cold. The survivors of Hurricane Katrina never had that option. As I say I am very fortunate.
July 24, 2006
July 21, 2006
Still No Power
I spent a second night without power and air conditioning. It was warm but not unbearable. The air temperature when I went to bed was 91 degrees and when I got up it was 82 degrees but with the heat index it was 89. You know, you stick to the sheets pretty good when it's that warm. But, it could be worse.
One thing I am hearing from the spin doctors at the utility company (Ameren) is that this is the worst storm they have had to deal with in their 100 plus year history. Yeah, maybe in their mind. The real story is why a storm that the National Weather Service did not list as that severe has caused so much damage to the electrical infrastructure in Saint Louis.
The real story is Ameren is no longer being pro-active in upgrading and replacing worn out facilities. The former company had a regular maintenance plan that replaced equipment at regular intervals. The new company replaces things when they wear out or are destroyed. Thus when this storm came through it became the worst in the company's history. Oh and one other thing, while about 350 thousand homes are still without power at this time the company recently requested a 30 percent rate hike from state regulators. Maybe regulators should be asking what Ameren is doing with the money it is already making. Because it sure isn't being put back into the infrastructure.
One thing I am hearing from the spin doctors at the utility company (Ameren) is that this is the worst storm they have had to deal with in their 100 plus year history. Yeah, maybe in their mind. The real story is why a storm that the National Weather Service did not list as that severe has caused so much damage to the electrical infrastructure in Saint Louis.
The real story is Ameren is no longer being pro-active in upgrading and replacing worn out facilities. The former company had a regular maintenance plan that replaced equipment at regular intervals. The new company replaces things when they wear out or are destroyed. Thus when this storm came through it became the worst in the company's history. Oh and one other thing, while about 350 thousand homes are still without power at this time the company recently requested a 30 percent rate hike from state regulators. Maybe regulators should be asking what Ameren is doing with the money it is already making. Because it sure isn't being put back into the infrastructure.
July 20, 2006
Amateur Night on the Radio
There is a radio station in St. Louis that bills itself as "The Midwest's most trusted news source". The station is in downtown St. Louis and at one time was a fairly good news source. Not anymore.
Last night it was broadcasting rumors and half truths from it's listeners who were just as confused as station management about the storm that was ripping through the area. One listener had tractror trailer trucks being turned over on the I-270 bridge over the Mississippi. Yeah, that happened but when KMOX repeated it, they also had the wrong bridge. The actual fact is a construction shed was blown over on the Poplar Street Bridge 20 miles south.
Fact error 2. KMOX believed it's listener who told them the roof at the East Terminal at Lambert International Airport was blown off. Reality - part of the roof of the light rail station at the airport had some of it's corrugated roof blown onto I-70.
One of the first things you learn in Journalism school is you do not report rumors. You verify from at least one source and more if possible. Maybe the station's news director needs to go back to school.
Last night it was broadcasting rumors and half truths from it's listeners who were just as confused as station management about the storm that was ripping through the area. One listener had tractror trailer trucks being turned over on the I-270 bridge over the Mississippi. Yeah, that happened but when KMOX repeated it, they also had the wrong bridge. The actual fact is a construction shed was blown over on the Poplar Street Bridge 20 miles south.
Fact error 2. KMOX believed it's listener who told them the roof at the East Terminal at Lambert International Airport was blown off. Reality - part of the roof of the light rail station at the airport had some of it's corrugated roof blown onto I-70.
One of the first things you learn in Journalism school is you do not report rumors. You verify from at least one source and more if possible. Maybe the station's news director needs to go back to school.
The St. Louis Area Gets Whacked
I very powerful series of Thunderstorms came blasting through St. Louis last night, leaving almost a half million homes without power. In addition the storms blew down many trees and blocked a large number of streets. The good news is apparently no one was killed and very few people hurt very badly. It's almost a miracle when you consider wind gusts were measure in excess of 80 miles per hour.
Personally, I am without power and the local power monopoly (Ameren) says it could be several days before the lights and air conditioning come back on because there are so many suffering from the outages. Still, my home is intact without damage and I can cut and rake up the downed branches that strew my front and back yards. I am not the only one like this though. My siblings are all without power as are the next generation in our family as well. But, eventually the lights will come back on and life will return to normal. I guess things aren't all that bad after all. If you want to read a pretty good wrapup of what happened try this link.
Personally, I am without power and the local power monopoly (Ameren) says it could be several days before the lights and air conditioning come back on because there are so many suffering from the outages. Still, my home is intact without damage and I can cut and rake up the downed branches that strew my front and back yards. I am not the only one like this though. My siblings are all without power as are the next generation in our family as well. But, eventually the lights will come back on and life will return to normal. I guess things aren't all that bad after all. If you want to read a pretty good wrapup of what happened try this link.
July 16, 2006
Random Thoughts
It's hot in Saint Louis and it's getting hotter. It made it up to the mid and upper 90's last week and the temperature is forecast for about 100 each day this week. Air conditioning don't fail me now.....Is there a better beer brewed in the state of Missouri than Boulevard's unflitered Wheat Ale? I don't think so, and believe me I have drank my share of beer through the years. The beer is made over in Kansas City and has become my favorite ale. (I do like other Stouts and one particular Porter that are also very good) but Boulevard Wheat has a nice pleasant taste and the wheat helps in the digestive process. A win/win situation!.....How bout them Birds! The Cardinals have now won six in a row including four extra inning games. Yeah, they seem to be back on track, but then again they are not playing the best teams in baseball like the Tigers and White Sox. The Cards will win a lame central division but then will fall after the first round of the playoffs to the New York Mets. The Mets will then lose to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.....What's up with those dadgum flip flops. Everyone seems to be wearing them even in situations where they shouldn't be allowed. My employer permits summer casual from Memorial Day to Labor Day and even blue jeans are allowed at work. But, the flip flops have to go. You sure can hear them coming can't you? Flop, flop, flop, flop, flop all the way down a hall...flop, flop, flop, flop, flop, flo.....
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