Hurricane Isabel Blog (2003)

We're still alive - here's our 'Blog' of the last 24 hours:

2:00pm - beginning to rain and windy - work shutting down all computer systems - Doug heads home

5:00pm - not storming too bad - let's go out to eat!

6:00pm - Earlier today, Metro suspended bus and rail service for fear of injury to patrons. Doug decides to suspend diet for fear of dying on an empty stomach.

8:00pm-9:30pm - Our greatest fears are allieved. The satellite dish holds out and we get to watch the new 'Survivor'. Ice cream taste great.

10:00pm - Kelly heads to bed

10:45pm - POWER OUT. No big deal though - backup (battery) sump pump working fine.

11:30pm - Doug checks on backup (battery) sump pump, all appears OK - Doug heads to bed.

12:15am - "Tropical Depression Samantha" begins to blow. Backup sump pump making "funny" noises. Doug checks on backup pump, still going. Samantha also "still going". Doug tries to get Samantha asleep for next hour or so.

2:15am - Doug wakes up on Samantha's floor. Vaguely remembers beds are more comfortable than floors. Heads back to bed. Decides to check on sump pump as it is still making funny noise. Backup Sump pump no longer working and some water beginning to flood the basement. Backup Sump pump noise no longer classified as "funny".

2:16am - Doug attempts to use wet/dry shop vac to cleanup water in basement. Wet/dry shop vac also not working!

2:17am - Doug remembers wet/dry shop vac requires electricity to run. Doug starting to wake up now...

2:17-5:30am - Alternate Backup sump pump systems engaged [bail water out of sump pump pit using 1 gallon bucket for 3+ hours to keep it from flooding the basement]. Kelly and Doug take turns.

3:30am-4:30am: While bailing water, CPR is performed on backup sump pump. Patient shocked with battery from Tauraus but has already coded. Pump pronounced dead at 4:33am. Funeral services to be announced.

4:33am-5:30am: While bailing water, consider stealing neighbor's generator that has been humming along all night. A plan is formed...

5:30am POWER ON - Main sump pump begins pumping again.

5:30am-6:00 am showers

6:00am Back to bed - no longer care if power goes back off and basement floods

6:30am: "Hurricane Rachel" blows into the bedroom. Another day about to begin...

cheers to all,

doug