Lost power Friday night but my wife and I are staying with the in-laws. I called the power company Monday morning to, once again, report the outage and get an update. I was then told the reason our power was out is because of a fallen tree that is lying across a line and power pole. That was Monday morning and it is now Wednesday morning, and our neighbors have called repeatedly and still no solution. The line, pole, and tree is right behind a neighbors house and he calls at least 5 or 6 times a day. I know there are a bunch of crews out and are trying to get all power restored but this is ridiculous. They have known since Monday what the problem is but have yet to even attempt fixing it. I honestly believe we should be credited so much for groceries but I am probably in the minority who feels that way.

 

 

PS: I see power crews on a daily basis just sitting doing nothing when they could be working. This has become a very heated topic for me now. :madman:

I understand your feelings. My area was without power for over a week back during the ice storm last year. We were almost the last people in our county to have power restored. It's frustrating. However, keep in mind that the power company workers are people with families, too. They are not going to just "sit around" (however it might appear) and let families go without heat/electricity. When you see them, it's possible that they are on lunch breaks or sending in information about repairs that have been made, ordering materials, etc.

 

It's so tough to have patience (and heaven knows I'm one of the worst for this) but just keep thinking about all of the good things that you have in your life. That helps just a tiny bit.

 

Also, I bet that your homeowner's insurance will reimburse you for your groceries. During Hurricane Ike last year, several of my friends were without power (thank God, not me) and lost food and were reimbursed via their insurance.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm sure I would be just as frustrated as you are. Unfortunately I have no answers for you. You are simply at the mercy of the power company. I pray that your power is restored very soon. Hang in there.

What gets me is my outage is a simple often occurence and has little to do with the actual storm outages. It usually doesn't take longer than 1 hour or so to repair and it's something they could do enroute to another service area. I just believe they should restore all power to one area before moving workers to another area. They have just skipped over us.

That sucks, man. Heard an KYPR report a minute ago that said there are still 15K people without power in Floyd, Letcher and Pike cos. Here's hoping they get it fixed soon for everyone!

How many people does your outage affect? Last year, my mother (who has major medical issues) was without power almost as long as I was. They knew exactly what the problem was (a blown transformer) but due to the sheer volume of people out of power, they had to prioritize their jobs and get the highest volume of homes restored first, regardless of which areas they were in. She didn't like it. I didn't like it, but that's the way that it was, and in hindsight, should have been.

 

Any frozen pipes to worry about at your house? I had to pay for a plumber to come and empty the pipes and then still had a frozen issue to worry about. What about pets? I boarded mine at the vet's for over a week. That was not a fun bill to pay either! It's the little things aggravate you about things like this.

Lost power Friday night but my wife and I are staying with the in-laws. I called the power company Monday morning to, once again, report the outage and get an update. I was then told the reason our power was out is because of a fallen tree that is lying across a line and power pole. That was Monday morning and it is now Wednesday morning, and our neighbors have called repeatedly and still no solution. The line, pole, and tree is right behind a neighbors house and he calls at least 5 or 6 times a day. I know there are a bunch of crews out and are trying to get all power restored but this is ridiculous. They have known since Monday what the problem is but have yet to even attempt fixing it. I honestly believe we should be credited so much for groceries but I am probably in the minority who feels that way.

 

 

PS: I see power crews on a daily basis just sitting doing nothing when they could be working. This has become a very heated topic for me now. :madman:

 

 

I see Christmas dinner in a Chinese restaurant. Fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra!

 

Seriously though, sorry for your frustrations.

Lost power Friday night but my wife and I are staying with the in-laws. I called the power company Monday morning to, once again, report the outage and get an update. I was then told the reason our power was out is because of a fallen tree that is lying across a line and power pole. That was Monday morning and it is now Wednesday morning, and our neighbors have called repeatedly and still no solution. The line, pole, and tree is right behind a neighbors house and he calls at least 5 or 6 times a day. I know there are a bunch of crews out and are trying to get all power restored but this is ridiculous. They have known since Monday what the problem is but have yet to even attempt fixing it. I honestly believe we should be credited so much for groceries but I am probably in the minority who feels that way.

 

 

PS: I see power crews on a daily basis just sitting doing nothing when they could be working. This has become a very heated topic for me now. :madman:

 

What gets me is my outage is a simple often occurence and has little to do with the actual storm outages. It usually doesn't take longer than 1 hour or so to repair and it's something they could do enroute to another service area. I just believe they should restore all power to one area before moving workers to another area. They have just skipped over us.

 

I do not understand is it simple or is it that the tree is down on the wires and pole?

 

Just because you see that problem behind your neighbors house does not mean that is the only reason for the outage. There could be multiple locations that have lines down and poles broke off.

 

Also, power companies will work on the main lines first.

 

1) Think of it like a snow storm they clear the interstates first. The main lines are the ones that go between the substations.

 

2)Next are the "state highways" these are the lines that you see that have 3 larger wires on them, the poles that have crossarms and look like crosses, and these feed the corporate and industrial customers.

 

3)Now comes the "County Roads" these are the lines that are connected to the "State Roads" and they supply the subdivisions.

 

4)Lastly comes the "subdivisions" the lines that feed a small number of houses and the more rural areas.

 

 

As to the crews sitting around, this is usually because they just got done finishing one job and are waiting for dispatch to instruct them to where to go next. This part is critical because the dispatch must keep track of all crews to avoid having multiple crews working on the same lines without them knowing it. If they do it makes it very dangerous.

 

Just so people know that being an electrical lineman is in the top 5 as most deadly job in the United States.

 

I have been an electrical lineman for over 10 years and take great pride in working to restore power to the people.

 

 

Also, if your power goes out frequently for short periods of time when it seems like nothing is going on weather wise. The culprit is most likely squirrels. They will be touching a line then reach out and touch something to ground themselves then BOOM! They blow the fuse for that line. We call them "fuse ferries" usually only pieces are found if any.

This is terrible; I'll try to remember you whilst complaining about my problems.

 

Is there anything more frustrating?:irked:

I do not understand is it simple or is it that the tree is down on the wires and pole?

 

Just because you see that problem behind your neighbors house does not mean that is the only reason for the outage. There could be multiple locations that have lines down and poles broke off.

 

Also, power companies will work on the main lines first.

 

1) Think of it like a snow storm they clear the interstates first. The main lines are the ones that go between the substations.

 

2)Next are the "state highways" these are the lines that you see that have 3 larger wires on them, the poles that have crossarms and look like crosses, and these feed the corporate and industrial customers.

 

3)Now comes the "County Roads" these are the lines that are connected to the "State Roads" and they supply the subdivisions.

 

4)Lastly comes the "subdivisions" the lines that feed a small number of houses and the more rural areas.

 

 

As to the crews sitting around, this is usually because they just got done finishing one job and are waiting for dispatch to instruct them to where to go next. This part is critical because the dispatch must keep track of all crews to avoid having multiple crews working on the same lines without them knowing it. If they do it makes it very dangerous.

 

Just so people know that being an electrical lineman is in the top 5 as most deadly job in the United States.

 

I have been an electrical lineman for over 10 years and take great pride in working to restore power to the people.

 

 

Also, if your power goes out frequently for short periods of time when it seems like nothing is going on weather wise. The culprit is most likely squirrels. They will be touching a line then reach out and touch something to ground themselves then BOOM! They blow the fuse for that line. We call them "fuse ferries" usually only pieces are found if any.

 

 

Listen dude, I'm not just "complaining"

 

1. Very little snow anywhere around here now.

 

2. The line is the exact reason for our power outage.

I feel you...I was out two days during the Ice Storm and I about lost my mind...I hope they get it back up for you today...:thumb:

Lost power Friday night but my wife and I are staying with the in-laws. I called the power company Monday morning to, once again, report the outage and get an update. I was then told the reason our power was out is because of a fallen tree that is lying across a line and power pole. That was Monday morning and it is now Wednesday morning, and our neighbors have called repeatedly and still no solution. The line, pole, and tree is right behind a neighbors house and he calls at least 5 or 6 times a day. I know there are a bunch of crews out and are trying to get all power restored but this is ridiculous. They have known since Monday what the problem is but have yet to even attempt fixing it. I honestly believe we should be credited so much for groceries but I am probably in the minority who feels that way.

 

 

PS: I see power crews on a daily basis just sitting doing nothing when they could be working. This has become a very heated topic for me now. :madman:

 

Let me tell you that these line crews (at least the ones I know) are amazing at what they do. The problem often is not that they don't know what the problem is, .. it is getting from outage to outage fast enough to get everyone back on. In our area, we had over 11,000 customers out on Saturday morning and as of Tuesday evening, I believe all were back on. These guys/gals have been working from dawn to dusk and they MUST take breaks in the course of the day. It is very dangerous and time consuming work. They have to get thousands of customers back on, and that doesn't happen quickly and safely without trained crews. I would rather them take breaks and be a little rested than rush, be tired and make a mistake that costs someone their life. I know that during the icestorms this past winter at least 1 serviceman (I believe in Western KY) was killed while trying to restore power.

 

As far as credits for groceries, ... that is what home owners and renters insurance is for. Natural disasters. If a storm destroys your home, ... are you going to hold the builder responsible for the storm damage and whatever you lose as a result? A storm is something that noone can control, but these servicemen have to clean up the mess.

 

In the Danville area and Western KY after those icestorms, there were customers out for several weeks. My guess is that when everyone was restored, there were some awfully tired servicemen from working the long hours they work. I had a friend of mine complain when he saw several of them eating at a restaurant down the road from his house. My thought? Try doing their job, in the elements, 12-16 hours per day, without taking breaks or eating.

 

I know it is frustrating to be without power. Been there, done that. But I am amazed at how fast these guys can replace lines, broken poles, clean up damage and get thousands of customers back on as fast as they do. I know that in the Pikeville area, many have already been told by KU that it will be after Christmas before they can possibly get everyone back on.

 

KUDOS to these guys for what they are doing. I, for one, would not want to be out in the elements doing the dangerous work they have to do.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm sure I would be just as frustrated as you are. Unfortunately I have no answers for you. You are simply at the mercy of the power company. I pray that your power is restored very soon. Hang in there.

 

And what 'mercy' do these linemen get for working 12-18 hours per day completing a dangerous job? I have heard of these guys being berated and cursed at while doing their job because some thought they shouldn't be eating dinner or taking any breaks until everyone is back on. Threatened, lied to, and that is on top of what they have to deal with.

 

I have been without power before for days, and hated it. It is a very bad experience. I pray as well that everyone gets their power back on sooner as opposed to later. But I would not want 1 person to lose their life because they rushed or weren't rested in order to get somebody back on faster. It just isn't worth that IMHO.

I do not understand is it simple or is it that the tree is down on the wires and pole?

 

Just because you see that problem behind your neighbors house does not mean that is the only reason for the outage. There could be multiple locations that have lines down and poles broke off.

 

Also, power companies will work on the main lines first.

 

1) Think of it like a snow storm they clear the interstates first. The main lines are the ones that go between the substations.

 

2)Next are the "state highways" these are the lines that you see that have 3 larger wires on them, the poles that have crossarms and look like crosses, and these feed the corporate and industrial customers.

 

3)Now comes the "County Roads" these are the lines that are connected to the "State Roads" and they supply the subdivisions.

 

4)Lastly comes the "subdivisions" the lines that feed a small number of houses and the more rural areas.

 

 

As to the crews sitting around, this is usually because they just got done finishing one job and are waiting for dispatch to instruct them to where to go next. This part is critical because the dispatch must keep track of all crews to avoid having multiple crews working on the same lines without them knowing it. If they do it makes it very dangerous.

 

Just so people know that being an electrical lineman is in the top 5 as most deadly job in the United States.

 

I have been an electrical lineman for over 10 years and take great pride in working to restore power to the people.

 

 

Also, if your power goes out frequently for short periods of time when it seems like nothing is going on weather wise. The culprit is most likely squirrels. They will be touching a line then reach out and touch something to ground themselves then BOOM! They blow the fuse for that line. We call them "fuse ferries" usually only pieces are found if any.

 

Thank you for your hard work and effort, as well as the time that you spend away from your family during storms to help the rest of us.

When the power was out in Danville luckly our Restaurant Business got it's power back up in 24 hrs...We would open up two hours early to feed all of the crews that were local and from out of state...Believe me the pleasure was all mine...Those guys were Heroes around here...:thumb: