Houston Power Outages

Updated 9/24/08: still 541,000 people without power.  It’s humid and 88 degrees.  I’m hearing Sunday.  If they hit that date, or we don’t get power back earlier, that will have us without power for 15 days.

I’ve been tracking the power restoration/outage info on Centerpoint Energy’s website.  Here are the numbers for my zip code:

Date      Out    Percent

Sept 24  3251  47%
Sept 23  3919  57%

Sept 22 4201 61%

Sept 21 4376 63%

Sept 20 6150 89%

Sept 19 6150 89%

Sept 18 7525 100%

Sept 17 7585 100%

Sept 16 7834 100%

Sept 15 9063

Sept 14 10856

Sept 13 9928

Here’s some of the info, if you want to check it out yourself.

Area Outage Map By Zip code

Outage Map dated today

Estimated Restoration by Zip Code

Ike + 9

So. 10 days without power now.  Haven’t seen a work crew since Friday.  The most frustrating part is that they hooked up power for half our neighborhood and the one across the street, and just left.  Left us in the dark.  It does feel like we’ve been abandoned.

I’ll admit to you now that it’s all been getting to me.  Saturday night, after having spent most of the afternoon and evening in the comfort of our friends’ air conditioned apartment, we came home to no power, despite everyone else around us having it back.  Then the hillbillies were partying outside.  I could hear them over their generator inside our house with the windows closed.  I lost it.  I must have cried for two hours.

Even though we didn’t have much damage, I think the stress of Ike is making everything else boil up to the surface.

• The constant stress of my job, but not in a good way like I’m being productive or useful, just the stress of having to deal with assholes all day.
• Now I get to face my extremely pregnant co-worker every day.  Because she’s moving into our office permanently.  Fun.
• The stress of still not getting pregnant, and not knowing why.
• The stress that I can’t quit my job, because I’m bringing in the only paycheck now.

All those were in place before the storm and I was mostly handling it.  But now, with still not having power, and as such the means to do normal daily activities, I’m having a very hard time holding it all together. Trying to wake up everyday and shower in the dark is taking a toll on me.  Have you ever tried to put on makeup by lantern light?  Not easy, and the end result isn’t too pretty.

We got my parents’ generator last night, which has helped.  At least we have the fridge plugged in and the TV back.  We lost all the cold food we had – between the kitchen fridge, the garage fridge and the freezer.  All of it  defrosted and spoiled, despite our best efforts.  It’s a huge money drain.  I spent over $150 at the grocery store yesterday, and didn’t even buy half of what we needed.

For the first 5 or 6 days, I tried to find the positive side.  I really did.  I got a lot of reading done. We had some quality time together.  It was cool and enjoyable outside.  Being very thankful that we came through so well, when I know others didn’t.  But it’s hard to find that positivity now.

Ike + 7

We are now at 7 days without power.  At the earliest, according to Centerpoint, we’ll get it after Monday September 22.  Sometime.  We’ve had to throw away more food out of the freezer in the kitchen. I don’t know if we’ll be able to save the food in the deep freezer, but we’re trying.  You have no idea how difficult living without power is until you are forced to do it.  The things you take for granted, and I don’t just mean air conditioning or lights.

Last night I was weary.  Weary of the noise of generators around me and the constantly barking dogs.  Tired of having to throw out food, tired of worrying when our supplies will run out and if we can get restocked on some things, tired of eating food cooked on the grill.

One bright spot is that we are going out to dinner with some friends tonight.  Another bright spot is that UPS is delivering again, at least to my office.  So I got my shipment of books ordered pre-Ike from Barnes & Noble.  That’s what we’ve been doing every evening – reading on the porch until it gets too dark, then heading inside and reading by lantern light.

The same friends we are meeting tonight have power and have offered to let us come stay with them.  But we’d have to leave the cat to do that.  Even though I refuse to name her, I don’t want anything to happen to her.  However, we are going to take them up on their offer to let us do laundry.  That is getting to be an issue for us.

Things I’ve Learned From Ike

1. We need a generator.  I don’t care how much it costs.  I think we’ve thrown out about $800 worth of food from our freezers.  We can’t eat it all, though we’re cooking what we can.
2. Get one of these (check!) and a couple of these.
3. Do your shopping earlier in the week – trying to do it the 2 days before the storm comes will just frustrate you, and guarantee that you won’t find what you want.  Also buy more than you think you’ll need.  In case your power is out for over a week.  Meh.
4. Be sure to have extra instant coffee on hand.  You will run out.
5. Get ice and make ice.  Put ice in your freezers BEFORE the power goes out.  And refill as you can.
6. Also, cold lasts longer at the bottom of our side by side fridge/freezer.  So put down there the things that are expensive and put cheaper stuff on top.  Meat on bottom, veggies on top.
7. Plastic ware is essential. You don’t know if you’ll have running water, or hot water, to wash dishes.
8. In that same vein, get some personal hygiene wipes, in case you can’t shower.
9. Stock up on Sterno, charcoal, and lighter fluid.  You don’t want to have to do this.
10. Get a UPS for the cable modem so it doesn’t go off every time the power blips. But also charge and unplug everything from the UPS so we can use it to charge cells if need be.  Might need to buy a couple, actually.
11. Have plenty of books to read.  A camping lantern is a wonderful thing at night.

Ok centerpoint..

Still no power. 4 days. This really sucks. I mean really. We got ice via my folks today. I need to do some laundry. We dumped a big garbage can of food from the freezers today. I don’t even want to think about how much money we threw away.

Centerpoint is now saying their goal is Sept 23 to get 75% of power in Hpustin back up. That’s 10 whole days from now. It’s particularly frustrating because I’m expected back at work on Thursday. My co-worker down the street has power. She’s less than a mile from us. It’s very very frustrating that we have nothing. Also, AT&T’s Internet and cell service is pretty crappy through all this.

Ike came in the night

Saturday 7:39 am: We woke up this morning to no power. It went out about 3 am. The damage seems minimal at the moment. But it’s not over yet. Two downed fences in the back, downed tree limbs, and water covering the back porch. No Internet on the phone as I write this. I’ll upload when we do.

10:38 am: the hillbillies next door seem to have a generator, so now the noise is permeating the block. Spotty cell reception, and J can’t get ahold of his dad. Still raining, but less wind I think. Had breakfast and coffee, planning soup for lunch. We’re using the fondue pot and sterno to cook and heat water. Family is all ok, but no one has power. Can’t get any text messages through though. Using battery powered radio for news updates. Heard Dylan on news, so he’s ok at least.

12:48 pm: We had our lunch of soup, and wandered around the yard a bit to assess our damage. Roof held, tree held. Down the street a few downed trees. Next door -hillbilly manor- lost part of their roof. Cars are fine. Still raining pretty heavy and flash flood warnings in effect. Wind has really decreased now, after having picked up again around 11. Making more coffee and waiting for power to come back on. Got running water again, thank God, but an order to boil it before using since they aren’t sure about contamination yet. Silly cat is STILL under the bed and hillbilly generator still going. Just trying to read to stay amused without tv or Internet. I’d take a nap but that generator is really loud.

Tweeting Hurricane Ike

Jonathan & I will be staying home, and probably posting our updates on Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter if you want to know what is going on!

Do You Have a Hurricane/Disaster Kit?

We do.  Here’s the Red Cross guidelines for a disaster kit.  If you are interested, here’s the Fema list.

Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
• (1) 5″ x 9″ sterile dressing.
• (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) triangular bandages.
• (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
• (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
• (1) roll 3″ cohesive bandage.
• (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) antiseptic wipes.
• (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2″ width.
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal).
• Tweezers.
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

Non-Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
• Emergency preparedness manual*
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
• Flashlight and extra batteries*
• Cash or traveler’s checks, change*
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes*
• Soap, liquid detergent*
• Feminine supplies*
• Personal hygiene items*
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots*
• Rain gear*
• Blankets or sleeping bags*
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

Special Items

• Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

For Baby*

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

For Adults*

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

Entertainment (based on the ages of family members)

• Games (cards) and books
• Portable music device

Important Family Documents

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
  Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
  Passports, social security cards, immunization records
  Bank account numbers
  Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.

Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications

We’re still here. Really!

Things have been kind of crazy for us lately. Jonathan quit his job. I’ve been doing infertility treatments. I spent this week in training for my Series 6, & learned a lot, but also that I’m not ready for my test yet. We have a little weather heading towards us at the moment. We’ll try to blog Ike like we did Katrina & Rita and keep everyone posted on our situation.

Also, today is September 11th. Just take a moment to remember.