Well this is a first for me...

[PCIntern]

So our power went out and I got the generator going, powered the Fios battery, a light, the refrigerator, and the TeeVee via the cable box. Should the box blow that's their problem. So I'm sitting comfortably reading "The DU" and Mrs. Intern asks me if there's lightning in hurricanes. I replied "can be but..." So I get up from the couch and look at the sky and there's green flashes all over the place which went on for minutes. Turns out that it is transformers blowing all over the area.

Looks like we will get power back sometime in the next century.

[Panasonic]

1. Got plenty of gas for the ol' generator?

Hopefully stored away safely.

Good luck, and stay safe.

[faithfulcitizen]

2. wow, stay safe!

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Please cut the power main to your house

That generator can feed back into the lines and blow out the people trying to repair your service. You can turn the main back on once you are sure power is back.

[PCIntern]

8. Generator is stand alone and does not plug into the supply. In this part of the state

You have to have a solenoid cutoff.

Thanks for the thought...

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. That is a huge relief.

Thanks for adding it.

[matt819]

11. Stupid questions

So we lost power for 10 days a couple of winters ago, and I got a generator. The electrician did something to the breaker box to prevent just what you describe.

I have a power cord that connects to the generator, and I imagine the other end connects to the house. I haven't checked - should have done this before the rains came - but I'm assuming that the electrician installed an outlet on the exterior of the house, to make the generator to main connection.

Here are my questions:
Is my assumption correct that I probably have an outlet outside the house? You'd think I would know this, but it's the kind of thing I probably see regularly but haven't registered.
And, let's assume there is such an outlet - the plug is a majorly large 4-prong thingy - what's the order in which I do stuff? (And, no, I didn't check that the generator will start, though I do have gas). Reorder the following as needed:
Start generator
Plug in power cord
Switch main circuit breaker box over to generator
Pray that I don't blow up the house

Thanks.

And, yes, you may make fun of me. I'm not particularly handy.

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. I have no clue whatsoever.

Just listened to local news yammer about this all afternoon. Said to "cut power" while generator is running so it doesn't "backfeed".

Sorry couldn't be of more help. Maybe try to google it?

[malaise]

15. It can also blow up the entire house

as one family in Jamaica discovered yesterday. Their power returned while they were out and they were connected by the generator - big explosion and the entire home burned to the ground.
Turn off the main if you're using the generator

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. Another good reason. Yikes!

Why I never bought one. I would have no idea what to do with it.

[MADem]

17. When I use mine (which is stashed in my vacay shack)

I just use it as a stand alone. It will run a few things--a small tv, fridge, a lamp--that's all I need.

One of these days I'd love to get one of those permanent ones that are wired into the house and are automatic. Pricey things, those.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. You stay safe.

[nolabear]

5. Be safe, Dude. Fire is not your friend.

[Texasgal]

6. How scary!

Save your power PC! You may need it worse later!

[MgtPA]

7. I saw the same thing a few minutes ago, sitting here in the dark

And these weird greenish lights flashed up the sky; looks like it came from the direction of Feasterville or Southampton.

[TorchTheWitch]

10. where are you abouts?

I'm also in the Philly burbs but haven't lost electricity yet. That's really my biggest fear since I have no generator.

[spin]

12. I lived in the Tampa Bay of Florida area for 37 years. ...

What you are witnessing is not unusual in a strong tropical storm.

I'm not sure what would be worse; living in the summer heat of Florida for days without power and AC, or living in cold weather without power.

The longest I was without power was 5 days. It was no fun trying to sleep soaked in sweat.

I witnessed a lot of tropical storms in Tampa but I don't believe any were qualified as a hurricane when they passed over Tampa. Usually the area severely damaged by a hurricane is relatively small. The storm you are living through is epic as it is so large.

Fortunately you have a generator. Be aware that generators are very valuable items in a long power outage. They tend to disappear at night.

Good luck and take care. You may have some very interesting stories to tell your grandchildren in the future. Of course being young and foolish they will probably be bored.

[msanthrope]

13. Hey--we still have power here. Wonder how long that will last. nt