Power came on last night about 10 pm for the first time in 40 hours. Then it went off around 3:30 am last night and back on around 6 am. This is my first interaction with the internet since we lost power - extremely rarely, my phone would break through the cellular data logjam that everyone was trying to use.
Yesterday, as it warmed up a bit, neighbors' homes started flooding from thawing ice in burst water piping. I helped a few neighbors shut off their water mains, but lots of water damage inside their homes.
I put a remote thermometer in the attic by the water heaters / water piping. It dropped below freezing when it was really cold outside, but keeping a small stream running upstairs and downstairs seems to have prevented freezing in our pipes. They put water heaters in the attics down here, not ideal for global cooling conditions like this. I noticed that neighbors with water heaters above unheated and uninsulated garages tended to be the ones that burst. Our water heaters are above a heated living space, so despite heavy ceiling insulation, I think our attic space was a little warmer.
It got down to the mid 40s in our house during the 40 hours without power. We had hot water, which allowed us to eat, clean dishes and shower. We will have to throw out most of the food stored in refrigerator - good time to clean it thoroughly while empty! We mostly read books, gathered around the gas fireplace which helped only a little (not efficient heating). Clayton was here for Lana's birthday, which we spent without power, so it was 4 of us, including Madeline. None of us could work from home without electricity and internet.
We are fine. Many of our neighbors, not so fine.
