Hurricane Igor about to hit ... recommendations for disaster recovery

[SteveD]

And now for something completely different.
I am battened down in Bermuda, everything valuable moved into the basement - except for my TS 55, C12  a brand x power drill and and assortment of hand tools. I have just got a few minutes to catch up on the rest of the world - which is why this appears to be 11th hour.

If I told you what we are planning for you probably won't believe it - so check www.weather.com or the hurricane center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/). We're expecting of 36+ hours of storm force and hurricane force winds to start later tonight and go on until Monday sometime.

Here are a few questions about working outside after the storm
The neighbours have a 6500W generator that I can use (after it is safe to do go outside and work). From the discussions on the fog I looked up it appears to be OK to do so - but should I use it with the CT or without? I expect to be working outside (if there is even an inside left) and cutting 1/2" and 3/4" ply and 2" x 4".

The house I am in is 3 floors and made of 8" and 10" block. There are aluminum storm shutters on all the windows - but the Bermuda stone roof is the most vulnerable. At 100 + mph winds for 12 -15 hours hours even the pigs from the farm down the road could make a flying visit. Ooh gross! So we do expect damage from flying debris - probably pieces of other peoples roofs.

Apart from the obvious - safety glasses / face plate, keeping things dry, GFCI (Gound fault thingy), and not working when tired does anyone have experience or suggestions on the best way of organizing /working in post er, disaster, situations.

And Uncle Bob Marino - if you read this - thanks for all the Festools you sent me over the years! I may need to start all over again next week.

Thanks

SteveD

 

[johnnyinnb]

Hi Steve, are you a resident there or on a work permit, I was there from DEC 98 to DEC 07, we were there for Fabian in 03, you don`t what a windy day is until its blowing 130mph. It`s a weird sound outside, comfy inside because of the concrete around you. who do you work for, I was with sticks and stones installing cabinets, flooring and stairs. good luck and be safe.

 

[SteveD]

Johnny,
I've been here nearly 40 years (I am what is known as a permanent resident so I don't need a work permit) - I currently work in IT for a local insurance company but this is my 8th or 9th job here. We WILL be busy next week! I have been here for a most of the hurricanes since 73 - this is probably the worst. However before satellites and NOAA buoys who knows? This is forecast to be worse than hurricane Fabian - which was also a large slow storm. Longer and probably a little more intense. We expect the storm to take out the causeway big time and the predictions are for wide spread roof damage - subject to change of course.  The only thing predictable about a hurricane is that they are unpredictable. The last report on Igor was a category 2 when it starts to hit. However as Fabian is still clear in most people's minds preparations are much better. For Fabian I was in another cottage  with my wife and daughter, 2 rabbits, 10 chickens and a cat. By the end of the storm we were glad to get outside in more ways than one! However the chicken coop was full ( as in 6 feet deep) in wind carried debris. It was acting like a net as the wind swirled around.
Sticks and Stones I think is still going - I think saw one of their trucks the other day.
You have a pretty good idea what we will see on Tuesday.

 

[Jay Knoll]

Hope all goes well for you, we've sat through a few "minor" storms in FL and they aren't fun.  But then, we were in a wood house with skylights  [scared] but everything held together and the trees that did fall fell away from the house.

Hope you can check in soon, and of course, if there aren't pics, it didn't happen   [big grin]

All the best

Jay

PS and this might help

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/

 

[Qwas]

Your TS-55 and other equipment with sensitive electronics might not like a generator. I know your time is limited but it might be nice to test it with the generator before hand. The CT will load the generator more and could make matters worse. You might try the TS with and without the CT and see what happens.

Luckily it looks Igor is weakening some but it will still be quite a storm. Our prayers are with you.  [smile]

 

[SteveD]

Thank you. Lights flickering so will probably need to close down. It has been blowing 40+ knots for a few hours already - the other side of the storm is about 30 hours away. If I was guaranteed power all the time I could get into the shop and get some work done to pass the time!

 

[honeydoman]

Gather all of you Festool and head inland!

 

[johnnyinnb]

Gather all of you Festool and head inland!

The widest part of the island is only about 2 miles wide, not much protection.

 

[Bob Marino]

Wow, Steve,

Stay safe.

  Bob

 

[SteveD]

Back on for a few minutes. Getting wild out there. Closest point - read eye of the storm is due about 10 pm tonight. Current forecast is for 100 mph max gusts - but considering it has been blowing over 40 (currently 50 kts and gusts to 64kts) for the last few hours and it is not likely to drop back down to that until tomorrow afternoon ...
Ho hum.
Not even an excuse to order any more Festools - unless they are damaged - I got all I need!
SteveD

 

[daviszr1]

Steve,

We haven't heard from you.  Hope that everything is okay!

 

[Rob-GB]

I reckon he's running around the neighbourhood playing assisting with his Festools. ;D
Rob.

 

[SteveD]

Sorry for the delay in responding. Everything was safe but we lost power at home about midnight Sunday. Shortly after the power came back on Tuesday noon I had to leave the Island to take my daughter to University in the UK - a frenetic few days - and without any internet access.  I just got back and I am catching up on things as well as starting to unpack the basement where all the valuable and movable stuff was put!

Thanks for the FOG thoughts and personal emails.

We did run the generator for a day for fridges and freezers but I never had time to try the saw or the vac. I am not sure if the generator has been prepped for storage but if not I am going to see if I can run some tests on the tools and also the water pump we have for water pressure in the house.

Thanks again
SteveD