I'm having a 22k Generac whole-house generator installed next week. I already have a concrete pad near the service entrance so installation shouldn't be very expensive. Only 5k at Home Depot, the cost of a TOTL arranger. My entire house is electric except for the kitchen range, outdoor grill, and the gas fireplaces. We have very few outages as all of the electric power in our neighborhood is underground and not subject to falling trees, etc., still, it's cheap insurance. We had one major blackout during the winter of 2018 (2 1/2 days without power) and that was enough for me. I had a similar setup in my house in Florida; there it was really necessary. Had a large but portable setup in Hawaii because, where we lived, no electricity also meant no water.

It's funny how we think some things are extravagant, UNLESS it's something we want.....like an expensive keyboard .

chas

Don,
Glenda and I have had several discussions about not only doing a full house generator like Gary and Chas mentioned but also doing solar panels. Only Problem is the generator is around $5000.00 and the Solar Panels about $17,000.00. The weather has changed In the past 5 years and the DFW area is experiencing more serious storms than in the past. They once went either North or South of us- but not now. I really don't want to be without power for a week or two. Anyway, take care and hang in there.

Chas, I couldn't agree with you more. My wife is doesn't want to spend the money but you are right - if I wanted a new TOTL keyboard she wouldn't say a word about the cost.

Deane

chas, good for you ... I've thought about it from time to time, just never did it ... we have underground utilities also, but there is always an overhead transformer somewhere that gets knocked out by a storm, auto accident, whatever ... fortunately we have not suffered any losses when the power has gone out ... but ...



RIGHT !!!

It came back on sometime early this morning, a little later than they thought.
A friend just came by for me to put a grip on a golf club for him, and as we were standing in the garage, it started hailing. Not big or severe, but hail for sure. Forecast is for thunderstorms again today.
As far as the tethering, your phone can become a Hotspot. You may have to pay a few bucks extra every month for it though.
Mine doesn't heat up because I use it for four hours every night when I work. I have unlimited data so no problem there.
I think you can connect up to five devices at the same time if needed.

Chas - Great point! My wife has asked several times that we put a whole house generator in... We have been without power a few times in the past and as you relayed... "It sure ain't fun". Not to mention the spoilage of the frozen and refrigerated stuff... So I just surprised the Missus and called the local gas company - will have to install a gas line under the road in front of my house but might get a discount as a new customer.

Being in FL (underground utilities here too but coming from the substations they are above ground in places...) it sure would help us rest easy to know we had the generator. Thanks for the "inspiration"!

I have thought about getting a generator, but we rarely are without power. When the BIG tornado of 1999 hit we were without power for more than two weeks. That would have been the perfect time to get one, during rebuilding.
Our house, and neighborhood is all-electric, so no gas. Ya got me thinkin' again . . . and that usually leads to spending money.

Today's warning from the Sheriff:
Severe Weather Today & Tonight

The National Weather Service in Shreveport forecasts Severe Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon through the evening for Bossier Parish and NW LA, to include possible tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday, with one to three inches of rain possible.

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington, Bossier Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, and local officials encourage residents to pay close attention to the forecasts, as weather conditions can change rapidly.

Residents can find out about weather alerts here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1248309705195155457 - to find ways to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from the National Weather Service and other ways you can received weather alerts through radio and TV.

You can also click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqmguEWojYw&feature=youtu.be

Don - definitely hear ya. We have suppressed the urge in the past. But these days we are spending a month or so at a time in MD (when not in virus mode) and if the power were to go out for an extended period, yikes, our food would spoil and remain unattended til we got home. Double yikes. Also, the wife was just saying the other day how scary it would be to lose power now with the distancing going on. We are stocked up right now but the AC, fridge, and freezer are our lifelines should something interrupt the power. Probably not going to be cheap but money well spent I am sure in the long run....

Another good investment these days would be a STORM SHELTER or cellar as we called them in Oklahoma.