Without Power After Helene – Day 11 – Liberty Begins At Home

Sometimes, relief comes right before you break. But that makes it all the sweeter. Read the joyful conclusion of the 11th day after #HurricaneHelene. #AugustaStrong

I’m writing this series to benefit Golden Harvest Food bank. This organization has boots on the ground in Augusta to help victims recover from Hurricane Helene.

Contribute here today to help these folks get back on their feet.

The weekend is over. It’s time to get back to the plant.

I take two gas cans to work with me. I need to fill them on the way home if the power outage continues.

My car will smell, but at least we can keep the fridge going.

It’s hard to focus at work. There’s plenty of start-up going on, so I am constantly pulled in different directions all morning.

But meetings scheduled for last week are now tomorrow. I need to get ready.

My wife sends me video of a large crane removing trees from power lines that feed our house. This crane looks like it could lift at least 60 tons.

The finer detail work has begun along the system to prevent leaning trees from causing future power outages.

Darkest Before Dawn

The sun begins to set and the streetlights are not on. My wife cries a little from frustration at seeing the crews so close to our house for 3 days.

*Worker camp at a shopping center parking lot in Thomson, GA (credit: Derek Rinaldo)*

She takes the kids to get a Frosty so they can cool down a bit. Anything to make up for not having air conditioning for one more night.

But when they get back at 6:50 PM, neighbors have their lights on. They wave to her and exchange thumbs up.

We made it through!

I finish my presentations for tomorrow and head home. Relieved I don’t have to stop for gas to refuel the generator.

I come home to hugs and elation. If only it were for me. But I don’t blame them for the reaction.

I microwave some leftover chicken Parmesan. Not for the convenience of it. Nor the taste.

Not even because I hate wasting food.

It’s because I have the novelty of a microwave back at my fingertips. And my three-year-old mooches half of it off my plate anyway.

Survivors Stick Together

I check on our fish tank. There is one lonely guppy fry hiding behind a crushed shrimp. We had moved five others to a separate bowl after they were born. The other fish ate the rest of the brood.

I look closer. This one doesn’t have a head that’s all eyes, which means our second guppy hasn’t given birth yet. This one lasted several weeks in a hostile environment.

11 days without power doesn’t seem so bad.

The family ends the day with warm baths and showers, a load of dishes on automatic, and the washing machine running a load of laundry. My oldest falls asleep in the air conditioning as soon as her head hits the pillow.

We’ve been fortunate to make it through this new situation. It tested our limits. It made our friendships stronger. But we had all we needed to get through.

Interested in helping other victims of Hurricane Helene in Augusta? Many areas are still without power or easy access to food.

I’m sponsoring a fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank. This group offers direct help in my area. Contribute today to get these good people back on their feet.

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