Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:23 AM
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
Good morning, DU. Once again, things in Laelth’s world in the Free State of Van Zandt (East Texas) are not too bad.
The temperature is currently 12 degrees with a high of 33 expected today. You may recall that our last day above freezing was Sunday, Feb. 14. Current weather forecasts continue to predict that our deep freeze will break tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 20) as temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees. We continue to have no water due to the widespread freezing and subsequent bursting of underground pipes. Otherwise, the Daughter and I are still OK. At the moment, we have a hard-packed, icy 4 inches of snow on the ground. That should all be gone by tomorrow afternoon. We have had reliable electricity for over 54 hrs. Looks like the grid in our area is stable now. We’re warm. We have food and, we have internet access. Life is good, but a shower would be really nice. The minivan is safe on the major road near the RV park. Several local businesses have reopened, so we ventured out for gasoline and other supplies yesterday. Gasoline was being rationed at the station nearest us (no more than $20.00 worth per vehicle). Bread, nearly all dairy products, bottled water, and a few other items were unavailable at the Dollar General, but that was to be expected. No post-blackout deliveries have arrived yet. Water remains the big issue—here and for most of the state. Still no clue when water may be restored. Still no clue how much damage has been done. We will keep you apprised of what little we know. Thanks again to our DU friends and allies for all the moral, spiritual, and material support. You mean a lot to us. Cheers! 
-Laelth Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value. This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783 This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956 This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625 This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
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40 replies, 5543 views
 40 replies |
Author | Time | Post |
 This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE. (Original post) |
Laelth | Feb 2021 | OP |
| TigressDem | Feb 2021 | #1 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #3 | |
| TigressDem | Feb 2021 | #7 | |
| LiberalArkie | Feb 2021 | #9 | |
| FailureToCommunicate | Feb 2021 | #25 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #26 | |
| Midnightwalk | Feb 2021 | #2 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #5 | |
| arlyellowdog | Feb 2021 | #4 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #6 | |
| kag | Feb 2021 | #8 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #10 | |
| jaxexpat | Feb 2021 | #11 | |
| Eyeball_Kid | Feb 2021 | #13 | |
| griffi94 | Feb 2021 | #14 | |
| jaxexpat | Feb 2021 | #32 | |
| griffi94 | Feb 2021 | #39 | |
| jaxexpat | Feb 2021 | #40 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #16 | |
| Kimber432 | Feb 2021 | #12 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #15 | |
| aggiesal | Feb 2021 | #17 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #21 | |
| question everything | Feb 2021 | #18 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #22 | |
| Soxderrube | Feb 2021 | #19 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #24 | |
| Wicked Blue | Feb 2021 | #20 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #23 | |
| niyad | Feb 2021 | #27 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #28 | |
| niyad | Feb 2021 | #29 | |
| catbyte | Feb 2021 | #30 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #31 | |
| Fla Dem | Feb 2021 | #33 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #34 | |
| Mr.Bill | Feb 2021 | #35 | |
| Laelth | Feb 2021 | #36 | |
| Atticus | Feb 2021 | #37 | |
| Pobeka | Feb 2021 | #38 |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:29 AM
1. Hi from Minnesota... Thinking about your water issue.
Response to TigressDem (Reply #1)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:36 AM
3. Here's the thing.
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I can’t drain any water through my pipes. I could dump it outside after I used it, I suppose, but I can’t put it down my internal drain pipes because they are dry, and I want to keep them that way until the freeze abates.
Thanks, all the same, for the suggestions. 
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Reply #3)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:46 AM
9. Having a dry p-trap is dangerous... It is what keeps the toxic fumes from the sewer system
Response to Laelth (Reply #3)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:46 PM
FailureToCommunicate (13,655 posts)
25. It may be different with an RV, but usually u-traps need to stay sealed by liquid. At an RV
Response to FailureToCommunicate (Reply #25)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:48 PM
26. Thanks. When water actually returns, it's going to be ugly. n/t
Response to Midnightwalk (Reply #2)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:45 AM
5. I thought about doing that.
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I kept the same thread title for continuity’s sake—just to make it easier to find for those who were concerned. That said, I think I will change it up a bit tomorrow if, as expected, conditions improve.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:37 AM
4. Are you near Tyler? my brother lives there.
Response to arlyellowdog (Reply #4)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:46 AM
6. About 50 miles west of Tyler, yes. n/t
Response to Laelth (Reply #6)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:42 AM
kag (4,045 posts)
8. I keep meaning to tell you...
Response to kag (Reply #8)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:47 AM
10. Nifty. You're a native.
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Personally, I am a native Georgian (Macon, specifically). I have family in DFW that moved there in the 1980s. Although I have lived in Texas for several years, it still doesn’t quite feel like home.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:51 AM
11. I thought you were in "east Texas", you're practically in Dallas......
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I'm kidding you but I wintered in Kountze decades ago. Ex wife had relatives in Atlanta, Tx. Now THAT'S my impression of east Texas.
I'm betting 40 degrees will be like a sauna after what you've been dealing with. Good luck kiddo.  |
Response to jaxexpat (Reply #11)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:14 PM
13. Temperature differentials are memorable.
Response to jaxexpat (Reply #11)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:16 PM
griffi94 (3,676 posts)
14. That's Southeast Texas
Response to griffi94 (Reply #14)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 01:39 PM
32. Yeah, in the seventies I was doing cross country surveying for geo-seis in the "Big Thicket".
Response to jaxexpat (Reply #32)
Sat Feb 20, 2021, 11:11 AM
griffi94 (3,676 posts)
39. If you were surveying in, or around Big Thicket
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Then you also got to know the mosquitos, chiggers, and cottonmouths well.
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Response to griffi94 (Reply #39)
Sat Feb 20, 2021, 12:42 PM
40. And the occasional armadillo, deer, raccoon, 'possum, scorpion, yellow jackets, alligators, beavers
Response to jaxexpat (Reply #11)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:21 PM
16. Honestly, I would have been better off in Atlanta, TX.
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They have an independent power grid that is not connected to ERCOT. If they lost power, it was probably only briefly.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:05 PM
12. Sending good thoughts for you, your home and
Response to Kimber432 (Reply #12)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:18 PM
15. LOL. Your hopes are very high, indeed.
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I thank you for the kind wishes, all the same.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:22 PM
aggiesal (8,423 posts)
17. My brother lives in San Antonio ...
Response to aggiesal (Reply #17)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:29 PM
21. My internal lines are all dry, including sewage.
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:23 PM
question everything (45,931 posts)
18. At least you have means of communication. Hoping for the best
Response to Soxderrube (Reply #19)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:40 PM
24. Y'all have water mains buried 6' deep.
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:29 PM
Wicked Blue (5,483 posts)
20. Wishing you armies of competent plumbers
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to fix the pipes and get the water flowing
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Response to Wicked Blue (Reply #20)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:35 PM
23. That's what it's going to take.
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Superb wish! Thank you.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 12:55 PM
niyad (105,516 posts)
27. Good morning. So glad to hear that you continue to have power, although it sucks about the no
Response to niyad (Reply #27)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 01:00 PM
28. Thanks so much.
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We don’t usually keep baby wipes, or anything like that. Didn’t think to look for them at the Dollar General, but I will keep that in mind. Even an alcohol-based, wipe-bath sounds good right now.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Reply #28)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 01:10 PM
niyad (105,516 posts)
29. And there are dry shampoos out again, as well. Or baby powder rubbed into the hair and blotted,
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 01:27 PM
catbyte (33,084 posts)
30. I'm so glad that things are looking up, my friend!
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I've been worried. I remember the last big ice storm here in Michigan in 2013. Hundreds of thousands were without power for 3 days and it was a mess. We were fortunate enough to have never lost power in my neck of the woods, but I did have friends, their pug, and 10 fish/dwarf aquatic frogs that lived in the affected area come stay at my place until their power came back on. My cats were not thrilled.
I'll continue keeping the good thoughts coming. Take care! |
Response to catbyte (Reply #30)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 01:32 PM
31. Thanks. We truly appreciate it. n/t
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-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 05:05 PM
Fla Dem (22,108 posts)
33. What an absolutely traumatizing week you've all had. Glad things are gradually improving for you.
Response to Fla Dem (Reply #33)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 08:23 PM
34. It has been rough, yes.
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Thank you for the kind thoughts.
-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 09:27 PM
Mr.Bill (22,451 posts)
35. Glad to hear things are better.
Response to Mr.Bill (Reply #35)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 09:50 PM
36. My pleasure, internet permitting. n/t
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-Laelth |
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:33 PM
37. Some of the vood vibes being tossed your way are coming from southern Illinois. "Endeavor
Response to Laelth (Original post)
Fri Feb 19, 2021, 11:47 PM
38. In case you don't know, clean feet make an amazing difference.
