It's Not My Fault...

[CBStew]

It's not my fault.  Well, technically it is.  We had a 4.5 earthquake that was centered 2 blocks from our house here in Berkeley. 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/01/04/powerful-4-5-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-californias-bay-area-today/#7723f8b66665

We had one thing fall off a shelf, but no breakage.  No new cracks in the plaster. No bricks fell off the chimney.  Otherwise we had light rain and about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  I would rather be here than on the East Coast today. 

[Chuck to Chuck]

Bomb Quake > Bomb Cyclone

[CBStew]

We have had about five shakes in the past 36 hours in the neighborhood of around 3.0 on the Richter.  I haven't felt any of them, but I heard my house reacting to one of them.  I think that cracks in the plaster give a house character. 

[CBStew]

We just had a 3.8.  This one went off with a bang.

[CBStew]

We had a 3.5 at 4:10 this morning.  It was during a frog-drowning downpour.  Mother Nature must be really pissed off at us today.

[Saul Goodman]

We had a 3.5 at 4:10 this morning.  It was during a frog-drowning downpour.  Mother Nature must be really pissed off at us today.

Or at frogs.

[Wheezer]

We had a 3.5 at 4:10 this morning.  It was during a frog-drowning downpour.  Mother Nature must be really pissed off at us today.

Or at frogs.

Ahem.

[CBStew]

We have received notice from our gas and electric provider, PG & E, that it is likely to shut off our electricity sometime today because high winds have been predicted beginning this afternoon and lasting into Monday.  PG & E is a publicly traded utility company.  It is not a governmental entity, although it and its shareholders behave as though it is.  What can we do?  We have stockpiled candles and flashlights around the house.  I have charged two laptops.   And that is about it.  I supposed we could cook and distribute all the food in our refrigerator and freezer.  But that is all I can think of. 

[Canadouche]

At some point in the near future, I am hopeful that my wife and I will buy a couple of Powerwalls from Tesla. Very useful in the event of a power outage, and even better if you have solar on your roof.

[CBStew]

At some point in the near future, I am hopeful that my wife and I will buy a couple of Powerwalls from Tesla. Very useful in the event of a power outage, and even better if you have solar on your roof.

I understand that the cost of that is around $25000.  Seems a little steep.  We already have solar not only for hot water but for power.  But unfortunately that gets shut down because it is connected to the PG&E grid.   We are actually providing power back to PG&E while it has imposed a blackout on us.  One block away my neighbors are still enjoying the benefits of living in the 21st century while Mrs. CBStew and I stumble around in the dark.

[CBStew]

At some point in the near future, I am hopeful that my wife and I will buy a couple of Powerwalls from Tesla. Very useful in the event of a power outage, and even better if you have solar on your roof.

I understand that the cost of that is around $25000.  Seems a little steep.  We already have solar not only for hot water but for power.  But unfortunately that gets shut down because it is connected to the PG&E grid.   We are actually providing power back to PG&E while it has imposed a blackout on us.  One block away my neighbors are still enjoying the benefits of living in the 21st century while Mrs. CBStew and I stumble around in the dark.

After around 48 hours the electricity has returned.  I have taken for granted that life owes me this amenity. 
I appreciate  it much more now.

[Canadouche]

At some point in the near future, I am hopeful that my wife and I will buy a couple of Powerwalls from Tesla. Very useful in the event of a power outage, and even better if you have solar on your roof.

I understand that the cost of that is around $25000.  Seems a little steep.  We already have solar not only for hot water but for power.  But unfortunately that gets shut down because it is connected to the PG&E grid.   We are actually providing power back to PG&E while it has imposed a blackout on us.  One block away my neighbors are still enjoying the benefits of living in the 21st century while Mrs. CBStew and I stumble around in the dark.

I think you're talking about solar panels + power walls. A single power wall is $6500 and would probably do in a pinch.

[WTB...A RING FFS!!]

We had a major storm blow through central WI in July with straight-line winds of 80+. As expected, trees and power lines down all over the area with a lot of house and vehicle damage. Got lucky with power only being out for a day, but people were foul at work for the most part. Avg person in the area was w/o power for 3-7 days. Technology's wonderful when it's working, but go with no power for a few days and it's like being in the stone age.

[CBStew]

We had a 2.7 this morning.  Not  a big deal.  The epicenter was 3 miles from my home.