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Hi Gang ! !
Well, now that I'm seriously starting to think like someone who's actually going to LIVE there, the following occurred to me.
How often and for how long are the normal occurrences of power outages and how do most of you all deal with them?
Is it just the candle and batteries route for as many hours or days as the need lasts? Or is the power generator a better way to go in the long run?
How do the outages affect things like water flow? ... like, maybe, with no power, there is no water pump ... therefore no water ... therefore no showers etc?
Are the outages usually island-wide? ... or are they usually localized by area?
Are certain areas more prone to outages than others?
If the outages are extensive, does pretty much the whole island shut down ... like no work?
Oh yeah ... and one other unrelated thing ... I've got this stupid philodendron in a hanging pottery planter that I've had for about 25 years ... how much of an impossible hassle would it be to try to, legally, bring it with me?
When's the next message-board get-together happening? I wanna come, but won't be there until December.
Thanks to all,
Clay
Posted : October 8, 2003 5:48 am
Hello Clay,
Glad to see you are asking your questions and doing your planning - All the best with that.
As I understand from comparing notes the power outages seem to differ by island. I will speak about St. Thomas since I am most familiar with it.
Power outages might occur a couple times a week if they are working on something, and might not get any for a few weeks in some cases. Most outages are during the night, late night - as I always know - because my alarm clock gets reset . Other times its during the day, some businesses have generators some don't - like the bank - its very frustrating going to bank and they can't do anything because the place is in darkness... that only happened to me a couple times. Some times it occurs in the early hours of the evening in which case you use candles or flashlights, take a quick bath (the pump will have some water in it for a mini bath) - I always keep gallon jugs of tap water just in case the power goes out and I need to do dishes, wash hands, bath... after going through hurricanes you learn to take bird baths with cold water using a gallon jug or from a bucket by candle light- LOL!!
Candle and batteries for a couple hours yes if its in the evening... you just clean up the kitchen, bath and go to bed early - or sit outside with a sheet to cover yourself (it gets a bit chilly in the evening outside and to keep away bugs if they are out) and enjoy the stars and nighttime without lights from neighbors - thats the up side to outages. Some homes have generators yes. Outages do not last days... unless its post-hurricane.
Water flow - well your water pump holds water and so does the heater... so you have that water to use... when its done then your water is done also. So you might keep a 5 or so gallon jugs of tap water in storage so when you run out of water you can do the necessities like bath, brush your teeth, wash your hands.
The outages are usually by areas, depends on the feeder you are on, usually when they are doing work, they will turn off one feeder or a couple, so some areas are out and others still on. Not sure if some areas are more prone to outages because of the reason I said... definately if you are on the same feeder as say the hospital and airport you will likely have your power back on faster then people who live out in the "country".
No the island doesn't shut down when power outages occur.
Not sure about traveling with your "pet" plant. I called the office here - they said the plant can NOT have pest or SOIL. And said you need to call your local airport agriculture - plant/animal inspection office and see what their policies are. If you want to call the number is (340)774-5719 St. Thomas airport plant and animal inspection... Perhaps you could ship it??? if you are shipping other items. Not sure.
Stay posted for other get-togethers.
--Islander
Posted : October 8, 2003 7:27 pm
