MLA Calls for Windstorm Region to Be Declared Disaster Area

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 03:59 AM

Terrace, B.C. – The NDP MLA representing areas of the northwest hit hard by Thanksgiving weekend storms wants the Provincial Government to step in.

Skeena MLA Robin Austin says rural residents in outlying areas of Terrace have been devastated by the wind and rain that pounded much of the region Saturday night. Austin says many residents in Rosswood and Old Remo are still without electricity after trees and lines were downed by the gusting wind Saturday night.

“What I’m hearing is that it’s a faller’s nightmare. In other words, tons of trees have fallen down all over the place. There’s damage to vehicles, damage to homes. It’s very upsetting, and so far nobody has come out to assist them.”

Austin says he’s talked to BC Hydro to make sure that crews will be out in the Rosswood area tomorrow to get power restored. But the MLA also wants the situation declared a provincial emergency.

“I’ve also put in a call to the Provincial Emergency Program in Victoria because right now it hasn’t been deemed a provincial emergency which doesn’t enable extra resources to be given to back up BC Hydro. But I’m certainly trying to get that underway.”

Austin says it’s a “sad state of affairs” that BC Hydro and the BC Government can’t get to the scene of the damage right away to provide help.

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Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: He spoke on October 13 2010 9:00 AM

Send in twenty small 20 kw gensets, 100 chest freezers so that they can salvage the food. So that there is some resemblence to order in this area. Power up a couple of Schools and community centers so that people can get themselves some amenities.

if it is as bad as it is in the reporting, your not going to get power back to every house. Basically, the lines need to get restrung, and that is not going to be a 2 hr job.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 13 2010 11:07 AM

No windmill power generating company salesmen in the neighbourhood? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 13 2010 12:14 PM

For what it worth...
There are still a lot of people who don't realize that it is very easy to run your house on a portable generator.
About a 3500 watt machine will do it,5000 watts or higher is even better.
Even a smaller one will run your lights, but not all your appliances unless you run them one at a time.
(I have done it with a 2000 watt)
Start by turning off your main breaker and all your inside breakers, as well.
Plug your genny into an OUTSIDE outlet and fire it up.
Then,once it is running, turn on your inside breakers one at a time or just turn on the ones you need which is even better.
You will hear it in the sound of the genny if you overload it, and the lights will dim.
DO NOT TURN ON THE MAIN BREAKER FOR THE POWER FROM THE POLE OUTSIDE!
(You will end up trying to power up the neighborhood...bad idea!)
You will need about 1500-2500 watts to fire up an older furnace,but once it is running,it draws much less.
And forget drying clothes!
A freezer will need about 1200-1500 watts when the compressor kicks on.
Fridges vary depending on the age,but 900-1200 should get them going ok.
I think every home should have a portable genny of 3000 to 5000 watts.
You never know how long the power will be off when it happens.
If you do it,just make sure you are not trying to run a bunch of crap that you don't need.
A blowdryer will take about 900 to 1500 watts when you turn it on...the same for an electric heater.
As well,very low power is as bad for your appliances as is too much power!
If you are on the genny and things are not running properly,you may have too many breakers on!

Posted by: He spoke on October 13 2010 12:24 PM

Andy, Thanks for the method, that makes good sense.

I have a 40kw diesel chugger, That should work eh.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 13 2010 1:00 PM

Hahaha!...goos one,you can power up the whole neighbourhood 40kw He spoke!
However,you will need a lot of extension cords!
Maybe take "donations" for fuel!
Think how popular you would be!

Posted by: drivechain on October 14 2010 7:25 AM

Powering up your house using the above method is a vilolation of the Canadian Electrical Code.

Posted by: metalman on October 14 2010 8:28 AM

Not powering up your house during an extended hydro outage is a violation of the Canadian code of common sense.
Knowing what to do, and how to do it safely is paramount, of course.
metalman.