For those who are wondering, I talked briefly to Patricia last night, when she managed to get her cell phone to work momentarily. She and the house both weathered the storm well, but the yard is a mess, and we have no power and for now no phone service. I think the problem with the phones may just be that we need a phone that doesn't need power (also, the business line is running outside, and it may have been blown out of the box, so she'll check that tomorrow).

I talked longer to her tonight, and she's just getting ready to live in the nineteenth century for a few days, or weeks, until power is restored. I was planning to fly back on Friday, but Fort Lauderdale Airport is still closed, with no word on when it will be open. Miami's open, but that's not where my ticket is, so it would be more costly. Also, if I go back, I won't be able to work there without power or communications, so not only will my client not get my services, but I won't get paid, so I'll probably be extending my stay in California, as much as I miss home and her, and want to get back and help her.

Anyway, no flooding, no injuries, no damage to the house. We are inconvenienced, but blessed, and will contribute to those less fortunate.

For last-ditch AC power, I've found an automotive inverter is a good solution. It's a lot cheaper than a generator, if admittedly less convenient. I've got a 750 W (1500 W peak) unit, about the size of a cigar box, that I bought a few years ago during a power outage to keep the freezer cold and the sump pump running (but that has since been switched to its own battery backup). You run the car occasionally to keep the battery charged.

You run the car occasionally to keep the battery charged.

Yes, I know.

Heh. I forgot that entry.

Just get a backup generator. My Aunt lives south of Tampa and when need be she can run the fridge, lights, fans, cordless phones, and 72 inch big screen TV. Since she she can maintain power it always turns into a Hurricane party at her house. Then, if your lucky, at the end of the day, everyone gets a helicopter ride.

Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but if you have a backup generator, where and how would you plug it in to your house's power?

They've been advertising those little Honda generators lately, and it looks like the things just have a regular outlet on one end.

I'm thinking I might need a generator for any potential blizzard that might keep me in the house for a couple of days.

Astro, connecting a back-up generator to your house system is generally a big and expensive investment- and the installation should be done only by a qualified electrician. Most (if not all) codes will require the addition of a transfer switch between your incomming utility (the meter) and your distribution (circuit breaker panel.)
The generator itself will have to be sized according to your house loads- and if it is a permanent installation you will need provisions for fuel storage (gasoline, diesel or propane) also subject to local building codes.

The little portables- Hondas, Colemans, etc.- have a standard 15 amp outlet box from which you can run extension cords to critical items like refrigerator and/or a few lights. Most of these little ones are not adequate for running any heating or cooling equipment- and they are also not designed for continuous usage.... you run them a few hours a day to keep your fridge cold and have a little light after sundown.

Resist any amateur advice to "backfeed" your house system from a portable generator! One mistake can create a BIG fire at worst- destroy appliances and your generator at least.

It goes without saying that generator exhaust must be effectively vented AWAY from your home- don't become yet another statistic of carbon monoxide poisoning!

Thanks, that's kind of what I thought.

But, just TWO of them provided all the power to film that commercial! ;-)