I think I just lost a chimney

[crickets]

*waves from southwest GA*

I've been hearing odd bumps and the occasional whistle-moan of air across the chimney top. A few minutes ago, there was an alarming brick clinking followed by bumpity bump THUMPs on the roof. Needless to say, I ain't going outside to check.

Jeanne has been raining and blowing since mid evening, but it was fairly routine until the past hour or so - except for that moment when the front door blew open because I forgot to set the deadbolt... I think this one beats Frances in the alarming sound effects/volume category. I keep telling myself, "You still have power. No problem!" Hee. I hope this rain band is the worst one, and that it finally passes soon.

The cats are sleeping with me tonight, whether they like it better under the bed or not! ;) That is if I ever make it to bed. The TV is on loud and I am not leaving this computer until it's quiet enough to think about relaxing. The power has flickered and browned a fair number of times, but it stayed on through the last two storms (miracle!) and I hope my luck holds.

My heart goes out to the people who are bearing the real brunt of this thing. Everybody try to stay safe.

[Dudley_DUright]

1. I nearly lost my power in FL several hours after the storm had

already passed. A broken branch from my oak tree finally came loose and landed right on the power feed to the house. I heard a boom on the roof and then the lights flickered. I went outside and a big branch was hanging from the powerline. Needless to say, I did not go anywhere near it, but it eventually fell off and landed on the ground. Good luck with your power.

[crickets]

2. Speaking of luck with power

Ten minutes after that post, the electricity went *boop!* and was gone. Another hour or so and things were calm enough for a glance at the roof. Chimney is still there, whew. A large Tung tree right alongside the house was probably being blown hard enough for branches to bang on the chimney & roof and that was all.

Fortunately the phone still worked, so I called to report the outage on the automated line, lit a couple of tea lights, and curled up in bed with the cats and a handheld radio with really bad reception of Art Bell. That'll get anybody's mind off a storm. Another half hour and two time traveler calls later :eyes: I have great news: there will be a massive positive paradigm shift on Earth on 2006. I'm glad Art has guests on rather than talking to phone callers all night; the British scientist he's talking to right now is rather interesting.

Anyway, to my utter shock, the power just came back on - in the middle of the night while the storm is still going. A letter of thanks praising the EMC to the local paper is in order.

I'm glad to hear that oak branch missed your house! Thanks for the kind thoughts. Your good luck wish packed a lot of punch. :hi: The wind is whipping back up, but I think the worst is over. I hope it's quieted down where you are.

Addendum just as I'm posting: The EMC just CALLED TO MAKE SURE I HAVE POWER. Wow! *snerkle* They know no one is sleeping right now. I hope they stay safe. And get a raise! Wow. And next time I need a good luck wish, I know who to call on, Dudley. Thanks again!

[Dudley_DUright]

3. I doubt if I had anything to do with your good fortune

but thanks anyway. My continued power is ironically due to the phone company. The phone and power were run next to each other but each had separate support wires eye-bolted into the house eves. The power support cable eye-bolt pulled right out of the house, but the much smaller phone cable support wire held tight and now everything is hanging on for dear life from it. :-)