California’s effort to establish Net Neutrality is successfully
moving forward. The legislation has now
been passed and awaits our Gov. Brown’s signature. (refer to preceding two posts for specifics). You might want to see what, if any, actions
your state may be taking.
A coalition of 22 states attorneys general formed the first
of the year “... to sue the Federal Communications Commission for axing net
neutrality rules...” ― California, Connecticut,
Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington ― and the District
of Columbia” reported here.
* * *
The relatively uneventful life I wrote about occurring the
preceding week was short-lived. Nothing
quite like a little 4.4 earthquake with an epicenter in the foothills just down
the road to alter that impression. A
sudden sharp jolt shook my house as I was sitting in my recliner viewing the
PBS News Hour. The shaking and creaking
sounds lasted a bit longer than I might have preferred but did not result in
any visible damage inside.
Do you need to have emergency preparations for any potential disasters?
I have an emergency radio that is set to come on when the weather alerts come on. It scares the heck out of me and it went off a couple of times yesterday for hail and rain storms. Down where my family lives they had a tornado sighting. When we get those I gather up a bag of stuff to take with me to the basement.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're okay! Earthquakes are as scary as tornadoes.
I'm glad states are going to sue over Net Neutrality! I did not know that.
Your emergency radio having automatic alerts sounds good. Having any advance warning is highly desirable .
DeleteNot for a disaster but we bought generators, have a wood stove if we need it for heat and kerosene lamps. We can lose power for a week or more after a normal winter storm but we're way out here. Sometimes a car hits a power pole and that'll do it too
ReplyDeleteI've toyed with the idea of having a generator but not pursued getting one. You really do need to be prepared for those winter storms where you live.
DeleteI'll take a 4.4 over a tornado any old time - mainly because the news tells you a tornado is on the way for a while before it hits. Earthquakes shake the bejeebers out of you but when the shaking stops if you are still standing you win. No fear of impending disaster as the news broadcasts the progress of the tornado. That said, tongue firmly in cheek, I am glad you are OK - and I find the fact that your radio did not broadcast somewhat troubling.
ReplyDeleteNet neutrality is something most people don't get until they lose it. The battle is critical to the control of information and cannot be taken lightly. I am fortunate as my provider offers tremendous speed and bandwidth with no restrictions at a reasonable price. Should I ever move it will only be to a place that offers similar options.
I agree about the earthquake vs tornado comparison. California is working on an earthquake advance warning system. In fact, there has been a trial with several hundred people using it. Reports are that it was successful but was only a matter of seconds advance warning. That's better than no warning.
DeleteAlways had preparations in Florida for hurricanes. Batteries, extra water and easy to put up shutters. The good thing is that we always had plenty of warning. Here in Arkansas my tornado preparations are not so complete.
ReplyDeleteAt least you know how to prepare so have some idea of what is needed. Advance warning is ideal whatever the threat.
DeleteNot being in an earthquake zone, I think I would find the shaking and creaking quite alarming. No potential disasters here in East Belfast. No earthquakes, no floods, no sinkholes, no droughts, no monsoons. Our only precautions are matches, candles and a torch in case of a power cut.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are situated where there are no potential disasters. I suppose any power outages would not be too long in most instances.
DeleteMy home state of Arkansas is a member of the New Madrid Fault Zone so we do hear discussions regarding the fault zone from time to time. It was back in 1811-1812 that the worst earthquake from this zone was recorded at around a 7.5 magnitude. But although we certainly live under the threat of an earthquake disaster, as mentioned by others tornadoes remain our day to day threat here. It is for the majority where our attentions are focused on any given day when a threat could exist.
ReplyDeleteI personally was forced to purchase a full-sized generator after suffering through a two week outage back in 2000 when I was forced from my home for two weeks due to a major ice storm. Lived at my office and slept on the floor. Certainly more of an inconvenience than a disaster but nevertheless....
That 7.5 quake would be pretty potent. The strength starts to be worrisome when we get into the 5's, 6's and up 'cause, as you know, the increases are exponential.
DeleteIce storm -- that sounds unusual for the area. Being without power so long would not be fun. Having a generator would certainly be desirable anytime power loss was at stake with most disasters though probably not with flooding unless the water didn't invade.
When I think of power outages over a long period, I wonder, too, how well everyone will cope will all the digital devices, electric cars, batteries that eventually die. I suppose the expectation is we'll receive assistance fairly soon. If what happened to Puerto Ricans who thought that, too, is any indication, we may have another thought coming -- at least with this Administration.
We're in a tornado area, though they are rare, the last truly devastating one having hit here in 1924. A more concentrated strike occurred nearby a few years ago, but no loss of life.
ReplyDeleteWe're more likely to get power outages due to winter storms. We're lucky to have a fireplace and always have a good supply of firewood.
Like you, however, I have grave concerns about this amateurish administration's ability to deal with any sort of major power grid outage.
Winter storms around the Great Lakes can be pretty severe. Glad you're prepared for possible power outages but hope they don't occur.
DeletePeople who live in Hawaii know what to do when a hurricane is headed our way.
ReplyDeleteThat's good. I suppose newcomers are told what they need to do.
DeleteI've lived through 2 hurricanes in Newfoundland and was terrified. So much damage but only a tree down for me. Ice storms were bad too. I temembre an earthquake once in a high-rise and I still remember the extraordinary sensation of total insecurity.
ReplyDeleteI have an oil lamp, candles and matches and feel pitifully unprepared in my apartment.
XO
WWW
You've had more exposure to various potential serious storm, etc. situations than I've had. Hopefully you'll have no occasion to use your apt. preparations but are adequately prepared if you do and others there are ready to provide aid if needed.
DeleteMy need for preparedness has been mostly for earthquake in California though tornados, winter storms -- getting snowed in, power outages from ice storms were possible where I lived in the Midwest, they were generally never so threatening in the immediate area where I lived. We did get a pretty severe dust storm in the Southwest and "100 year" flooding from a downpour, but neither were anticipated so any preparedness took place only moments before the events.