boy did that suck. no power=no poser, no AC, no cooked food...did anyone else go through this???feel like I just finished filming an episode of survivor. :)

I wached on CNN it looked a rather a scary experiment!!

Yeah that would really suck and just think of those poor people stuck in elevators...stuff of nightmares. :-)

That stuck in an elevator thing - been there, done that - was the same day John Belushi died (not related) - a pregnant woman with a weak bladder - very poignant ...er, PUNGENT 3 hour experience. Other than that, piece of cake. Larry F

NO POSER!!!

Just flickered here (my part of Toledo) just enough power loss to shut down my computer.

LOL...it made for an interesting Thursday and Friday. Sharen

Hey shadowcat, I'm in Sylvania and it only flickered here, too! :)

my power just came back after 26 hours...

After Hurricane Andrew,I didn't have lights for a month.....didn't really matter too much,as I no longer had a house to turn them on in the first place. SWAMP

Out in California, we're sorry to see the blackouts. Despite the platitudes on CNN, it looks like Enron all over again - unscrupulous grid and plant operators gaming the system to maximize profits, while saying they shut down to avoid overloads.

I went thru it last month (major storm took down the city)...mine lasted 2 days & 2 nights...and yes, it sucked...but it gives you a renewed appreciation for running water, toilets, electricity, refrigerators, TV, PC, AC.....LOL...and makes you wonder how mankind before 1880 managed to live without modern conveniences for centuries...we are so patheticly spoiled, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Yes very spoiled, 8) I've had this house for 12 years and the longest power outage I've ever had was 30 minutes. On the other hand we have the highest rates in Ohio....

25 hours for me here in queens

not sure what I would do if I had no food or water... squirrel hunting and collecting raindrops? reminds me of 28 days later

About 20 hrs without power here and we had no water in Cleveland. Nice 90+ weather realllly helped. Now it is on but we are having brownouts and the cable went down (of course, that meant no internet for me). Glad to be back! Diane

Think what fun they're having in Iraq - lots of people there STILL don't have electricity or water. All summer. Mm, nice.... :] Fish

You're right, Fish. That's a terrible situation. We're still lucky to have all these conveniences even if they aren't available for a few days. At least this is happening in the summer. In January or February of 2001 we had a big ice storm and some people didn't have any electricity for 4 days. That, of course, meant no heat either, since even if you have gas heat, the furnace needs electricity to start up. Swamp: Ouch! I hope nobody in your family was hurt!

The biggest problem I faced was traffic... no traffic lights=lots of accidents. Overall, I found that a lot of people we really great, though.... the local Ice Cream trucks were driving block to block giving out free ice cream, to help people stay cool.... there was no looting or rioting like there was during the last major blackout in NY (1977, but then again, that WAS the summer of Sam), the supermarkets that were open were giving discounts on water and other supplies... Overall, people really shined during this and I have to say that it was the most pleasant experience without power of my life.

I'm up in Toronto Canada. 27 hours no water or electricilty. Certainly glad civiliation is returning.

I was also forced to eat 2 pints of melting B&J ice cream for dinner that night! OHHHH...the suffering! Diane

LOL, that'll get ya every time.

FishNose, in all fairness, the people aren't shooting the guys trying to get the power back on in the US like in Iraq.

We've had short power outages here, and one fairly long one during a hurricane, and it does suck. Kudos to all the people who lived through it. Was glad to see that the crime rate didn't soar and looting reign supreme during the whole thing.

Diane: Awww, poor you. I need to find an excuse to suffer like that :)

ShadowWind

When I was living out in the backwoods of Georgia in the 70's, we would have power/heat outages quite often. That's why I now own TWO barbeque grills, several "decorative" oil lamps and lots of camping gear. Sure, when the power was out the last time (only 6 hours) I couldn't watch TV or use the computer, but I was able to cook or read a book and a couple pairs of heavy socks, fuzzy slippers and a winter coat will keep you nice and toasty warm as you open up the sleeping bags all the way and toss two or three of them on the bed. (It's also helpful when you're living on a boat with no electrical hookup). Camping equipment isn't just for the woods anymore. :) Kate (who is good at surviving)