From the immortal lyrics by Snap:
I’ve got the power hey yeah heh
I’ve got the power
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah-eah
I’ve got the power
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah-eah
Gettin’ kinda heavy
Can you believe it? After 7 days of total darkness and cold, Puget Sound Energy finally restored power to my home in Woodinville, WA. I knew the day of the storm on December 14th, that this one had some significant punch. Leaving work and stepping into the parking lot was like walking into a small river. It was incredible the amount of rain and water just flowing everywhere.
At 5pm, streets were already getting flooded and traffic was a mess. But the worst was yet to come. Power to all but a few pockets of Woodinville was out and a complete blackout suddenly took over. Street lights were in-operational and the wind started to pick up real strength.
Living in complete darkness really is the epitome of inconvenience and boredom. Just doing basic things like taking a shower or eating takes considerable more effort as you try to use whatever available light you have. Without a real light source, it is impossible to do anything constructive or fun except just sleep. Unfortunately, as the power shuts off so does also the heat. The cold just creeps in under you and makes you feel totally helpless.
The next morning, Friday was a day to be remembered. Trees were down everywhere including the single road that leads out of the cul-de-sac. I couldn’t even make it to work due to 3 down trees blocking the exit. However, even if I did somehow get out, I still would have to negotiate the war-zone scattered tree branches, live power lines, and debris. You can forget driving safely on the roads for a while.
Not surprisingly, Woodinville got the brunt of the wind and rain storm and it definitely showed. Years without trimming the tall trees that so dangerously hugged the power lines was the root of the problem. Its obvious no one expected this much damage and utter carnage that ensued after the storm. But who’s to blame? The homeowners who refused to give permission to PSE to trim the trees back or the power company for not being better prepared?
It doesn’t matter.. as the winter season now begins I have a feeling we ain’t done yet!
Filed under: Penny Thoughts |
OMISAN 
We tracked your odyssey of darkness via newsfeeds and webcasts and it all seemed quite grim. Woodinville got the prominent billing in news reports and I hear CA and other states were sending repair crews to help restore the heavily damaged power grid. We are glad to see that you finally “got the power”!
We sure had quite an experience, didn’t we? Just glad to be part of civilization once again. I just hope we didn’t turn you off from having kids. Robin really put you guys through the ringer. She misses everyone so much. She said yesterday in the kitchen , Where did all the customers go?
LOL! Actually, little Robin made the experience memorable and fun for me. Just no biting the customers please! 🙂
Hopefully Putu’s chomping days are coming to an end , but just in case wear a cup around her. I think she is watching to many animal movies and Mogali and Baloo did not help. After she saw Mogali doing it , I am afraid that this is only going to continue…..Yikes!!