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834

I had a heck of a storm blow through. Power lines are cut, internet lines are cut, multiple mature trees down, fence smashed, half the roads are impassable, generally an "adventure".

I am zen though. Drove over to the hardware store on the tail end of the storm to buy a gas chain saw (I have a small electric one, but multiple 2' thick trees down in my yard require upgrades). Didnt even have to look at the price because that's what the emergency fund is for. 20 minutes later I'm on my roof cutting off pieces of a half-shattered tree before it snaps off the rest of the way and goes from "ominous hovering" to "inside my house".

I might need to call in a tree service with a bucket truck for some large, snapped sections that are caught +50' up and a hazard whenever they eventually fall...but that's what savings are for. Here's money, make the problem go away.

Texted work a picture of the ents invading my yard and told them I wont be available until...the heck if I know. No big deal, that's what savings are for.

A sizeable portion of my fence is smashed flat from the top 50' feet of a tree snapping off, dropping 20' to the ground, and obliterating it. No big deal, that's what savings are for. I can build a new fence.

I'll probably lose the food in my fridge and freezer before power is back, but meh...that's what savings are for. I can but more food.

I might get a hotel if the power situation is SOL long enough, and I do not care what it costs. Emergency fund will handle that.

My spouse and I are safe, doggo is snoring on the couch, and all is well. Because I saved an emergency fund, I have no financial stress over "surprise, Treebeard smashed up your stuff like Isengard".

I had a heck of a storm blow through. Power lines are cut, internet lines are cut, multiple mature trees down, fence smashed, half the roads are impassable, generally an "adventure". I am zen though. Drove over to the hardware store on the tail end of the storm to buy a gas chain saw (I have a small electric one, but multiple 2' thick trees down in my yard require upgrades). Didnt even have to look at the price because *that's what the emergency fund is for*. 20 minutes later I'm on my roof cutting off pieces of a half-shattered tree before it snaps off the rest of the way and goes from "ominous hovering" to "inside my house". I might need to call in a tree service with a bucket truck for some large, snapped sections that are caught +50' up and a hazard whenever they eventually fall...but that's what savings are for. Here's money, make the problem go away. Texted work a picture of the ents invading my yard and told them I wont be available until...the heck if I know. No big deal, that's what savings are for. A sizeable portion of my fence is smashed flat from the top 50' feet of a tree snapping off, dropping 20' to the ground, and obliterating it. No big deal, that's what savings are for. I can build a new fence. I'll probably lose the food in my fridge and freezer before power is back, but meh...that's what savings are for. I can but more food. I might get a hotel if the power situation is SOL long enough, and I do not care what it costs. Emergency fund will handle that. My spouse and I are safe, doggo is snoring on the couch, and all is well. Because I saved an emergency fund, I have no financial stress over "surprise, Treebeard smashed up your stuff like Isengard".

(post is archived)

[–] • 2 pts

It is important to plan for things that you hope do not happen but might. I wish you the best of luck and I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with that shit.

However, You have already stated it. If you plan ahead for things that most never do, you will be able to weather it. I have had things (not like what you describe) happen but have planned for that or worse and it made it easier to deal with when it did.

You are strong, Toxic(/s) even with your masculinity. Good. Through your strength you are doing what needs to be done and have planned far enough ahead to not be in a panic or not know what to do. Having a logical head in situations like that can bring comfort to everyone around you.

Sometimes shit needs to get done and you are the only one that can get it done.

Future preps, maybe get a small generator that can run your refrigerator and freezer for a few days with not a ton of gas, You don't need to run it 24/7, Just a few hours now and then to keep things cold. If you are somewhere that is stupid hot, maybe a slightly larger generator than can run a portable AC for one room for a few hours a day when its the hottest out.

Glad that you are all safe. I don't know where you are but if you were a neighbor I would be helping if I could.

[–] • 1 pt

I'm considering a portable generator in the future to power a window AC. It'd be a significant power outage QOL improvement - feed the AC during the afternoon, charge a laptop at night, and it'd be more comfortable than the typical camping trip.

[–] • 0 pt

Make sure to get one that can handle the current in-rush. On startup AC units can suck a ton of juice and if the genset can't handle the load it will shutdown/trip its fuse/breaker.

[–] • 1 pt

Yeah, I'd do the math based upon peak load at startup.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

Where you at? I was doing a rain dance but got all whooped up on firewater and things got out of control. This one could be on me.

[–] • 2 pts

Next time share the firewater, I could use a glass after round 1 against the ents.

[–] • 1 pt

Good job, prepper! Glad to hear you guys are fine.

[–] • 1 pt

Sounds like an insurance claim to me. For all of it. If power is out long enough they will even pay for you motel. Plus most policies cover 500 bucks for the loss of frozen and refrigerated foods. Hopefully you got lots of pics of the trees. Your labor to remove them is worth money, plus any cost you incur calling in the pros for the big stuff. Your fence and landscaping as well. Might even get a whole new fence if it can't be repaired and blended in, or at least replace the damaged and paint the whole thing.

I have no idea what ents are, you're on your own with that one. lol

[–] • 1 pt

I would certainly see what insurance would cover before spending out of pocket. They might even cover related purchases already made.

[–] • 0 pt

Good to hear. Prepping pays large dividends in peace of mind. My generator has 2 ea. 20a Cicuits. 1 to freezer, 1 to fridge, + a tee to a light & fan. We're good. We also found hurricane lamps, and keep them ready, candles as well. Non-ethanol gas, 5 gal cans will keep you going. So called "smart" fridges don't like on/off power. Be ready to run gen. for extended times. Just some thoughts, glad to hear all is well...ish.

[–] • 0 pt

I'm kicking around getting a generator at some point. I dont really care about the freezer and fridge - I have enough friends and relatives in the area who're happy to take "free food if you get it before it thaws". But it wouldnt take more than 2-2500 watts to run a window AC, laptop, and modem. At that point the inconvenience factor of power outages is negligible.

[–] • 0 pt

Sounds like you need a backup generator.

Pretty much everyone in my area has one, due to power going out for extended periods regularly. Even a small generator (I have a 3kVA petrol generator, nothing flash) can save the contents of your fridge/freezer, you won't need to run it constantly, just a few hours a day. My neighbors lost their power in a storm a while back (it took out the line that lead to their house). Their power was out for 4 days. They had a small generator to run their fridge/freezer, and I lent them mine to run their water pump so they could have running water while their power was out.

Having a chainsaw handy is good. Also a decent length of rope, possibly a come along too and a large tarp that doesn't have holes in it (in case that tree pokes through your roof). Obviously, there's a shit ton of "stuff" you could have just in case, but the more you have generally the better and what you want will depend on your specific situation. Candles... do you have candles, or a lantern? It's surprising how much you rely on electric light. Some way of preparing food that does not require electricity. If you have a gas cooktop, that's easy, otherwise keeping a camp stove in storage can get you out of trouble.

[–] • 1 pt

My stove and water heater are gas, with a propane grill and camp stove as a backup. I'm stocked to the gills on flashlight batteries and candles. And I have enough tarps and heavy duty plastic sheeting to patch pretty much any hole in my roof.

I even have a mortar and pestle to grind my coffee mana potions like an alchemist in the 12th century.

[–] • 0 pt

damn, glad to hear yall are ok.

[–] • 0 pt
[–] • 0 pt (edited )

That's mighty white racist of you to plan ahead. Think of all that expired farm equipment that didn't. Worse, you're not being dependent on the government. Shame on you!