Apologies for the poor quality; it was quite rainy at that point
The darkness eventually called them in, and we listened with half an ear to the ever-increasing intensity of the winds. At 10 pm, I went to do some laundry (I was desperate to get it finished before we lost power; I knew it was inevitable) and discovered a smallish but ever-increasing puddle in the basement. Just like that, the struggle was ON.
I mopped while my LSH and Primo fixed the issue; the younger two were in bed already. At that point, we lost power and our internet/cable connection -- and thus all communication with the outside world. Our generator kicked in, but it didn't help us with the problem of what the heck was happening out there. The only thing that offered a shred of hope was this handy device, an emergency radio powered by battery/plug-in/hand-crank:
We received it from my parents a few Christmases back. At the time, we didn't appreciate its potential usefulness. Now, I don't know how we would have made it through the night without it. At 11 pm we received several frantic texts from concerned friends and relations that a tornado warning had been issued for our area -- a TORNADO warning, in NJ!!! -- and we needed to get into our basement right quick. The boys set up a temporary bed, and the dog was happy enough to join them.
They were having a ball, except Terzo, who slept through the entire thing.
We had to use the set-up again at 2:30 am, when another tornado warning was issued. My LSH and I took turns throughout that dark night monitoring the radio and checking the basement.
We did get eventually get our power (and cable and internet and phone) back on Wednesday night, and I have been playing catch-up every since, with no complaints from me. How can I complain? So many had it so very much worse.
Glad you are OK Kris and family.
ReplyDeleteI think I will invest in one of those radios.
You and the crew have been on my mind in my prayers. Glad you made it through safely!
ReplyDelete