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Pastimes : Where the GIT's are going -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rainy_Day_Woman who wrote (128189)	12/24/2006 2:02:24 AM
From: KLP	Respond to of 225578

Boy, did we ever get it....About 50,000 in our area STILL don't have power...We were out of power for nearly 5 days, VERY long days.. What really scares me is how few people realize that when we lose power, we lose so much more than power and lights and heat and for many, cooking ability. We also lose: --gas stations that are not able to pump gas, even if it is in their stations. --grocery stores run out of refrig units very quickly when they have to go to auxiliary generators....so all the dairy, cold cuts, deli products and meats are either sold or tossed out... --if you don't have gas (we did....unclewest who posts sometimes on PfP said NEVER to have less than a half a tank, as we can only go as far as our gas in the car will last), but if others don't and they have a medical emergency, they can't get help rapidly. --the banks were closed. The ATM's were down with no power. Some grocery stores would accept credit cards. Some restaurants did as well, or wrote down everything by hand, if they knew you. DON'T RELY on the goodness of people's hearts if there is a true emergency. Make SURE you have a supply of CASH on hand.... --electric phones in the house don't work. --cell phones don't either if the Mother Nature driven mess blew down the cells in the area. --cell phones can only be recharged if one has a car and a charger. --we found that many people are still not prepared for a disaster. Most were after 9-11, but now have gotten sloppy and not replaced batteries, wood, heavy duty medical supplies, water, etc etc. The most interesting thing of this go around, was how dependent we all have become on Internet and email to stay in touch with our business dealings, our news, and our friends and family. We didn't get cable/TV back for three days or so AFTER we had power back. I really don't think our NW Windstorm was a disaster, although the damage will be in the Billions when it is finally totaled...But rather, I think it was a wake up call for everyone in this country. Katrina should have been enough to wake us up to the fact that Government can NOT help us for at least 5-7 days OR MORE....And even then, WE are the ones ultimately responsible for preparing as best as we are able to cope that long or longer if need be. The experience made me grateful for the wake up call, and very thankful that the loss of life was low,compared to what it could have been... We all should be grateful that this year has taught us so many things. It will be a mellow Christmas for us, I hope! Some of the family are going to be with us, and for that, I'm grateful too... How about you? I am wishing ALL of the GITS Happy Holidays!