Archive for the “Weather” Category

Click here. (link fixed, sorry)

H/T: Boilermaker

The American Red Cross, in partnership with Indiana’s News Center, will host a telethon on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Red Cross, 1212 E. California Rd. in Fort Wayne.  One hundred percent of funds raised Thursday will support the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. 
 
The Disaster Relief Fund finances food, shelter, clean up kits and services administered by the American Red Cross to victims of disaster.  Due to a record number of disasters in 2008, the Disaster Relief Fund is now depleted.
 
The Red Cross Hurricane Ike relief operation could stretch into the coming months. Millions of Texans have no electricity; it could be weeks until their power is restored. Thousands who evacuated don’t know if their homes are damaged or when they can return home.  It may be months until Galveston reopens.
 
It is essential that enough money is raised to help disaster victims. The Red Cross estimates spending as much as $70 million helping those affected by Hurricane Gustav and the cost of the Hurricane Ike relief effort could easily climb higher than that.
 
“The American people have always responded generously to support their neighbors during their time of need.  I urge all Americans to join together and make a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund.  No matter how small, every donation can help change a life,” said Kay Ostrum, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana.
 
Over four thousand Red Cross workers are currently providing physical and emotional support for tens of thousands affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.  The Northeast Indiana Chapter has deployed 27 volunteers to assist hurricane victims since late August.
 
Disaster Relief Fund contributions can be made in one of four ways:
 
•         Call (260) 480-8270 during the telethon from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday.  Other times call (260) 484-9336.)  
•         Drop off a donation to the local Red Cross, 1212 E. California Rd., Fort Wayne from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
•         Visit www.northeastin.redcross.org to make an online contribution.
•         Use your cell phone to text the word “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). A $5 donation will appear on your monthly bill or be debited from a prepaid account. All applicable text rates apply.
 
All gifts to the American Red Cross are tax deductible.  Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross with “Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line.
 
Note to Media: Please visit the Red Cross Hurricane Ike Online Newsroom for audio reports, video and photography for your use: http://hurricaneike.wordpress.com/

AWB

UPDATE: A tornado has been spotted on the ground north of Fort Wayne according to the NWS.

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EDT FOR ALLEN AND DE KALB COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST INDIANA…

AT 123 PM EDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH. THIS SEVERE STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR WALLEN…OR ABOUT 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF FORT WAYNE…AND MOVING EAST AT 52 MPH. 

AWB

Just took this moments ago.

AWB

Taken from my driveway.

AWB

At 2:30 EST

The storm last night did major damage to my neighborhood, downing trees and several utility poles. My powers is still out as of this writing, due in part to backup generator running at a neighbors house. It seems that whoever installed it failed to install a manual transfer switch to isolate the device from the power grid. This caused the backup generator to feed power onto the distribution lines making it impossible for Asplundh Tree Service to start removing the trees from the lines. It delayed Asplundh by several hours.

The progress they’re making is quite impressive, with some repair crews from as far away as Mishawaka. Despite their efforts, it looks like I won’t have power tonight. There are three poles down behind my house and a couple of others, and it’s not an easy place to get equipment in for the repairs. I took some pictures last night, but my camera is somewhere inside the house and I could not find it in the dark. Maybe tomorrow.

Last night I stayed at Extended Stay America. It sucks. Really sucks. Don’t waste your money, you’d be better off in a pup tent.

AWB Out – from Panera Bread.

From my back yard.

AWB