On the heels of Gustav ...
Ike sure is/was quite the hurricane in how he has affected so many in the U.S.
Ike even reached the midwest as a tropical storm or gale force winds (some hurricane cat.1 wind gusts ... though not an actual hurricane because, for it to be a hurricane, there would have to be sustained winds).
Here in Ohio, and in Kentucky (that I know of),... & perhaps others ... there has been damage to cars, homes, power lines, etc., from fallen trees. Plus, other wind damage.
One of the biggest electric companies (that serves Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, etc.) has had the largest power outage in over 30 years (if not its being a record breaking one) ... 90% (or just over 90%), of their customers, were left without power. ~Many~ are still without power and some of those can expect to be without power for up to a week.
Gas stations, that are lucky enough to have power, brings forth images as though there were a gas shortage ...with people lining up at gas stations that are, actually, with power & functional.
Since the majority portion, of nearby cities (&, others, I am sure), are without power ... it means that any stores, grocery stores, etc., with power, are quite busy/crowded... as are the smaller stores that are without power and, yet, are open.
Surrounding banks, post offices, etc. are without power and are closed.
Our Sheriff's office is, also, without power (except for the back-up generator to maintain a functional jail) but, of course, must remain open.
Cable companies, of course, have also been affected.
Cell phone sites are without power and relying on battery back-up ... the batteries will only last a couple days without electricity. So, cell phone service is not that great... especially with people clogging up the cell site channels due to, perhaps, not having regular phone service.
Deaths (due to Ike) have been extremely minimal, in this area, but, still, ... any loss, of life, is tragic.
Of course, there are other things that are affected, &/or that occurred, as well.
I am counting my blessings (and knocking on wood right now) because, aside from no real damage, my home is one of fortunate ones to have had power restored (last night). Meanwhile, those, immediately around me (neighbors & very nearby cities), are still without power ... as well as are others in my not so immediate area.
My primary ISP is having difficulties which means I am lucky if/when I am able to receive, or send, any email. Luckily, my secondary ISP is working so that, at least, I have access to the internet.
Unfortunately, I do not have access to other necessary conveniences (such as bank, post office, certain stores, etc.) but those are simply inconveniences ... and I can still count my blessings.
My main concern, of course, were for my non-furred animals. I figured the snakes would be okay because the temps were not too bad (though the humidity rose to high levels) but ... I really worried about my Beardies who require high heat for digestion (and, of course, they require UV). Finally figured that I would get some heat packs & wrap them so that my Beardies could lay on them and have heat, for digestion... also, that I would take them outside, for a short period each day (to soak up the UVs), while we were still without power. Again, fortunately, I no longer have to worry about that. However, I am mentioning this so that, if a Beardie owner were to find themselves without power, maybe they could use the heat pack idea (if they have not thought of it, already, that is).
Amazing how much we rely on our lives' conveniences (electric, gas, cable, banks, post office, etc., etc... and even the internet
) because, when we are left without, ... the impact is, surely, felt.
All my best thoughts go out to those who have been, and are still, affected by hurricane Ike.
Especially for those who have taken the biggest brunt of Ike's wrath.
Ike sure is/was quite the hurricane in how he has affected so many in the U.S.
Ike even reached the midwest as a tropical storm or gale force winds (some hurricane cat.1 wind gusts ... though not an actual hurricane because, for it to be a hurricane, there would have to be sustained winds).
Here in Ohio, and in Kentucky (that I know of),... & perhaps others ... there has been damage to cars, homes, power lines, etc., from fallen trees. Plus, other wind damage.
One of the biggest electric companies (that serves Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, etc.) has had the largest power outage in over 30 years (if not its being a record breaking one) ... 90% (or just over 90%), of their customers, were left without power. ~Many~ are still without power and some of those can expect to be without power for up to a week.
Gas stations, that are lucky enough to have power, brings forth images as though there were a gas shortage ...with people lining up at gas stations that are, actually, with power & functional.
Since the majority portion, of nearby cities (&, others, I am sure), are without power ... it means that any stores, grocery stores, etc., with power, are quite busy/crowded... as are the smaller stores that are without power and, yet, are open.
Surrounding banks, post offices, etc. are without power and are closed.
Our Sheriff's office is, also, without power (except for the back-up generator to maintain a functional jail) but, of course, must remain open.
Cable companies, of course, have also been affected.
Cell phone sites are without power and relying on battery back-up ... the batteries will only last a couple days without electricity. So, cell phone service is not that great... especially with people clogging up the cell site channels due to, perhaps, not having regular phone service.
Deaths (due to Ike) have been extremely minimal, in this area, but, still, ... any loss, of life, is tragic.
Of course, there are other things that are affected, &/or that occurred, as well.
I am counting my blessings (and knocking on wood right now) because, aside from no real damage, my home is one of fortunate ones to have had power restored (last night). Meanwhile, those, immediately around me (neighbors & very nearby cities), are still without power ... as well as are others in my not so immediate area.
My primary ISP is having difficulties which means I am lucky if/when I am able to receive, or send, any email. Luckily, my secondary ISP is working so that, at least, I have access to the internet.
Unfortunately, I do not have access to other necessary conveniences (such as bank, post office, certain stores, etc.) but those are simply inconveniences ... and I can still count my blessings.
My main concern, of course, were for my non-furred animals. I figured the snakes would be okay because the temps were not too bad (though the humidity rose to high levels) but ... I really worried about my Beardies who require high heat for digestion (and, of course, they require UV). Finally figured that I would get some heat packs & wrap them so that my Beardies could lay on them and have heat, for digestion... also, that I would take them outside, for a short period each day (to soak up the UVs), while we were still without power. Again, fortunately, I no longer have to worry about that. However, I am mentioning this so that, if a Beardie owner were to find themselves without power, maybe they could use the heat pack idea (if they have not thought of it, already, that is).
Amazing how much we rely on our lives' conveniences (electric, gas, cable, banks, post office, etc., etc... and even the internet
) because, when we are left without, ... the impact is, surely, felt. All my best thoughts go out to those who have been, and are still, affected by hurricane Ike.
Especially for those who have taken the biggest brunt of Ike's wrath.
