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In reply to the discussion: I just got power back in NJ after 49 hours. [View all]jeff47
(26,549 posts)56. Because even with the storm, it's exceedingly unlikely you'll need it
I went though 8 days without power after hurricane Fran (1996).
Since then, the longest power outage I've had has been 4 hours when a transformer exploded outside the house. It's something like 5-7 years between outages and most are brief.
You're telling me it's critical to buy and maintain a generator for something that happens for a few hours every 5-7 years, because of one particularly long outage? You also seem to forget you can't just buy it and shove it in the back of the garage. You have to maintain it if you hope for it to run in an emergency.
Now, if you happen to live somewhere with less reliable power, then it starts becoming a decent idea. But for the vast majority power outages are simply too rare to be worth the expense.
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I just heard that the National guard came in last night. Thank goodness.
The Wielding Truth
Oct 2012
#47
My youngest son is in Scotch Plains and didn't have power as of this afternoon.
Grateful for Hope
Oct 2012
#3
Welcome back! I'm so glad you and yours are ok and can now begin the road to
myrna minx
Oct 2012
#17
I can totally relate. We went five days in +100° weather earlier this year.
Stinky The Clown
Oct 2012
#28
After the Northridge quake, I had no electricity for 36 hours. Many people had none for a WEEK.
kestrel91316
Oct 2012
#31
Maintaining it is a simple as running it for 15 minutes every few months or so, it' nothing
former-republican
Oct 2012
#57
It's not excessive and I promise when you need it you will be glad you bought it.
former-republican
Oct 2012
#68
After the tornadoes came through Alabama last April we were out for over a week.
Hyper_Eye
Oct 2012
#58
truthfully athena you don't have to worry about your greedy republican neighbors
sally5050
Oct 2012
#79