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. If necessary, these service interruptions must take place during peak load times (preferably early evening)

So tomorrow night might not be the best time to do anything that requires constant power...

. If necessary, these service interruptions must take place during peak load times (preferably early evening)

So tomorrow night might not be the best time to do anything that requires constant power...

Unless you have a generator it's never a good time to do anything that requires constant power!

. If necessary, these service interruptions must take place during peak load times (preferably early evening)

So tomorrow night might not be the best time to do anything that requires constant power...

Unless you have a generator it's never a good time to do anything that requires constant power!

I dunno, my solar panels are way less of a hassle than my generator ever was..

Solar or generator, an alternative source of power is a must

Solar or generator, an alternative source of power is a must

Yes, it's great to have but I disagree that it's a "must". The last prolonged power outage was in 1995 after hurricane Marilyn (in my case an unusual 5+ months!) but since then the outages have become increasingly fewer and of short duration. As long as you keep the mere basics of flashlights and a few gallons of water stashed away, a couple of hours or even a couple of days of no power isn't going to be anything more than an inconvenience.

That's fine if one doesn't have to shower, flush toilets, get kids ready for school or go to work. Then it's a bit more than an inconvenience, especially if it's a prolonged period. I love my generator but still keep spare water, candles, battery operated lights and radio, just in case. Not to mention, a bucket with a rope if I need to get into the cistern.

The last prolonged outage in STT was a few days of no power after Omar a couple years ago and STX was affected by the storm that blew thru last year (Danny?) and took out many WAPA poles as I recall. It helps to stay prepared as there doesn't have to be a storm for us to lose power.

I think if we lost power for 5 months again, I will surely lose my mind.

The last prolonged outage in STT was a few days of no power after Omar a couple years ago ... /quote]

A couple of years ago? 2008. I wasn't able to open my restaurant for just two nights and then it was back to work as usual.

 

STT didn't get hit so hard by Omar but the east end of STX got cat 3 winds.
A lot of people out east lost power for 2-3 weeks.

A couple of years ago? 2008. I wasn't able to open my restaurant for just two nights and then it was back to work as usual.

Good for you, OT.
Glad the WAPA gods smile so benignly upon you.

My home location was out for 5 days.
Time flies when you're having fun!
As mentioned, we don't need storms to lose power but there's a high possibility when there is one, the power will go down so best be prepared.

Good for you, OT.
Glad the WAPA gods smile so benignly upon you.

My home location was out for 5 days.
Time flies when you're having fun!
As mentioned, we don't need storms to lose power but there's a high possibility when there is one, the power will go down so best be prepared.

Simply clarifying that Omar was not a couple of years ago but over 7 years ago. As far as WAPA's gods smiling benignly, it's clear that your particular little spot on STT has, for some reason, way more than the usual number of outages year round. Ergo, WAPA's gods are far from smiling benignly down on you as opposed to either I or places I've lived being in any way"special".

Solar or generator, an alternative source of power is a must

Yes, it's great to have but I disagree that it's a "must". The last prolonged power outage was in 1995 after hurricane Marilyn (in my case an unusual 5+ months!) but since then the outages have become increasingly fewer and of short duration. As long as you keep the mere basics of flashlights and a few gallons of water stashed away, a couple of hours or even a couple of days of no power isn't going to be anything more than an inconvenience.

UM maybe on YOUR island. We were without power for over a week - then on for two days and off again for a week. Also was out for three days - just two big rains ago. It wasn't even a storm, just some rain. No doubt thats short in comparison to Hugo but a week is a long time. Since then I've had several times where its been off for two or three days. Had to buy a generator. STT power does seem much more stable than STX or maybe its just crappy #10 line I'm on.

OT--you cannot speak to the outages on STX as you live on STT; we have very frequent and long outages.

I have been here almost 30 years ; except for hurricanes, it has been worse over the past year that I ever remember. Sunny afternoon--power out//middle of the night--power out.
No rhyme or reason

OT--you cannot speak to the outages on STX as you live on STT; we have very frequent and long outages.

LOL, She wont that let stop her.

OT--you cannot speak to the outages on STX as you live on STT; we have very frequent and long outages./quote]

You're absolutely right - sorry you have so many power issues over there. Seems that ours on STT pale in comparison.

 

Solar or generator, an alternative source of power is a must

Yes, it's great to have but I disagree that it's a "must". The last prolonged power outage was in 1995 after hurricane Marilyn (in my case an unusual 5+ months!) but since then the outages have become increasingly fewer and of short duration. As long as you keep the mere basics of flashlights and a few gallons of water stashed away, a couple of hours or even a couple of days of no power isn't going to be anything more than an inconvenience.

UM maybe on YOUR island. We were without power for over a week - then on for two days and off again for a week. Also was out for three days - just two big rains ago. It wasn't even a storm, just some rain. No doubt thats short in comparison to Hugo but a week is a long time. Since then I've had several times where its been off for two or three days. Had to buy a generator. STT power does seem much more stable than STX or maybe its just crappy #10 line I'm on.

It must be your crappy 10 line. Less than an hour all but one time (about 2 hrs) for us this winter. And I can count them on one hand.

You east? Yea I've read up and the feeder we are on and I guess all defunct or super old and the last to come online always. You didn't go out that big rain we had like two months ago??? We were out for a WEEK! Then it came back on for a day and we were doing laundry and showering and it went off for like 4 more days. That was IT! Usually I take that time to clean, or be productive in other ways but when you are sitting in your own filth for a week. Its not fun. I can not even imagine those who went a month or more during the big storms. Thats hard core. After that I went and bought a generator. I live near the rainforest and the trees are SO overgrown onto the lines. I mean I am surprised we have power at out all here. Literally if the wind blows heavy, we lose power... and innovative lol. Innovative is always really fast to fix it though. Pretty impressed with their service... NOT their customer service which is freaking horrible. Lost power for like 4 hours one day and off and on the next day during that big wind-storm whatever you want to call it a couple weeks back. I just left and went grocery shopping. It really doesn't bother me all that much and now if I need to I start up the generator. It does go out pretty often here and WAAYY more than it ever did in STT and for much longer periods.

It must be your crappy 10 line. Less than an hour all but one time (about 2 hrs) for us this winter. And I can count them on one hand.

I'm pretty convinced someone important from wapa lives in my area... our power interruptions are infrequent and VERY quickly fixed... I've actually thought that it's gotten a lot better this year, but I guess it's situational.

I bought my generator last year during that 3 day outtage, but have rarely used it since.. I think three times at most and never for long.

omar-some people were without power for a month or more-we had power back the next day.

i have lived here for 10 years and other than the hurricane, we might have had 3 long power outages. 1, the first year-island wide lasted all day, another when a pole was hit by a jeep and we were out for most of the day. maybe 1 or 2 more that might have lasted 8 hours or so. . other than that just minor power outages lasting no more than 2 hours with most of them being 20 minutes or so.

i personally do not think this past year has been all that bad. a few years ago it seemed it was every day with a power outage. not so much now. and being on a feeder that powers downtown helps too.