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Warmed up enough today to make it possible to shovel off the ice from the front walkway to the mailbox. No mail delivery, but, it's safe to walk to the box now.

One more night below freezing and then we defrost.

Texas_Blaze wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:20 pmBack feeding through a proper switch is perfectly safe. For example a mechanical interlock that couples the main shutoff breaker & the generator breaker. Use a proper inlet box for the generator power supply cord and NEVER backfeed through a suicide cord (male plugs on both ends) or through your dryer wall outlet.

When I had to run a generator to the house after a hurricane (in NC) I took a heavy gauge power cord with a plug and wired it to a breaker at the other end (I forget what Amp, but it was appropriate for the generator output). I made sure to cut off the main at the breaker box before I turned on the generator. Worked like a champ. Was able to run the fridge, well pump (just barely), lights and ceiling fans for a week until power was restored. Not having AC in the Carolina heat was a bummer, but, at least we had water and food storage.

I would never have even considered a suicide cord. A regular wall outlet isn't made to stand up to that craziness.

extremist wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 11:27 am Im In Keller and my power has been out since Monday 530AM. No cycling rolling just blackout. Oncor is worthless in providing answers.

Did they cut off your water? Mine is off.

City of FTW water plant went down on Monday and they put contaminated water into the system that supplies many of the towns on the north side of the city. Roanoke, Westlake, Keller, etc. They're hoping to fix it today. This morning we got a "Boil All Water" message. And at about 1330 they shut the pumps. Managed to fill the tub and we'll boil for a while. I have a Lifestraw setup that can process over 4,500 gallons, just in case.

The power generation issue is not about wind. Coal, Nuke and Gas plants all went down. Likely line issues or issues related to the freeze affecting controls/sensors. Not in my lane, just internet quarterbacking.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02 ... -the-cold/

Since wind in Texas generally tends to produce less during winter, there's no way that the grid operators would have planned for getting 30GW from wind generation; in fact, a chart at ERCOT indicates that wind is producing significantly more than forecast.

03Lightningrocks wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:39 am

SigM4 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:31 am I just got in from about 45 mins of shoveling the driveway. Never would have thought that I would need to bring the snow shovel with us when we moved back from MO. Oh well.

As long as you’re dressed appropriately it’s not too bad outside right now, very little wind. Having spent several winters in WY earlier in my adult life I’m fully aware and prepared for what Mother Nature can do.

I have a better plan that doesn't include shoveling the drive way. My plan is to stay home until this mess goes back up North.

You and I are on the same plan. I call it "The Saturday it will melt plan".