We are doing well but no power since the storm. Forecast was 40-70 mph winds but must have been higher as trees are down everywhere.
At one point we were trapped in our subdivision with no way out.
We have a route out now but since we only moved here weeks ago, we were unprepared.
I’m using my car with an inverter for power. I was able to order a small generator from Amazon but until it arrives, the biggest help someone can offer is advise.
The car is a 2003 Chevy Astro. I have a 750 watt inverter that will run the refrigerator and freezer.
How long can I run the car without risking the engine? Also how long can I leave the fridge without power before risking losing the food?

A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed).Aug 8, 2024

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.Aug 8, 2024

Maybe you can turn off the car for a few hours at a time?

Generator coming from Amazon tomorrow.

because this is the NC group but I'm glad you checked in. I don't know the answer to your question about the car.

About the food, I would eat those things that are three days old first but only if they don't smell, look or taste bad. When tasting only try a small amount on the tip of the tongue not an actual bite.

Some food can last longer than you would think without refrigeration. If you leave your freezer closed those foods won't spoil as fast especially if the freezer is full.

I'm sorry you have been caught up in this disaster. But there is always someone here at DU if you need to reach out, have a question or just need to vent.



❤️ pants

We’re very close to NC, Anderson, SC. We can see the mountains when we are driving north and we just visited my favorite NC town, Brevard.

clearing trees from the roads up the mountain where most residents live. About 2K people in our town.

We finally have real cell service.

Let me know how we might help, please.

❤️

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We got power tonight and will have garbage pickup tomorrow.

My wife and I spent 8AM to 8PM every day doing the following:
Charging cellphones, battery packs, computers
Gave out batteries and loaned flashlights
Recharged each day, a CPAP power pack I loaned to a neighbor
Had people cooking food at our house for themselves.
Allowing neighbors to use our washer and dryer
Filling our freezer and refrigerator compartments with neighbors' food.
Loaned out coolers.
Providing ice packs that I've been saving from my insulin shipments to neighbors and giving them out, then when returned, refreezing them while giving the people replacements.
Driving and walking the neighborhood most of the day each day to check on neighbors including the shut-in and arranging with other neighbors to provide them with food.
Using my small chainsaw to remove some downed trees including one blocking a road, and, as VP of my HOA, providing names of contractors to neighbors who had trees hit their homes or roof damage.
Providing power to attached neighbor's townhouse for their refrigerator.
Loaning a portable generator I used before I got the whole house one to a neighbor who connected the townhouse attached to his for their refrigerator.
And, last but not least, bought 72 ice cream sandwiches to hand out to neighbors I could find yesterday and today, telling them it was a Christmas present, to raise their lagging spirits. Their surprised faces really warmed my heart.

But I don't feel special for doing it. I was only being a neighbor that had the opportunity to help others and so I did it. Helping others less fortunate is simply an obligation and a duty, not deserving of any praise or honor. The biggest thing I did was to get others to provide help to each other.

Tomorrow, I will change the sign to read that we are all now on the road to full recovery but there are still neighbors in the nearby communities that need help and we need to help them.

Years ago, our car broke down in a rural area. A man stopped by and helped me get it going. I offered him money but he declined telling me to pass it on and just help someone else when I could. I took that to heart and every time I help someone and they want to offer me something, I decline and tell them to pass it on. Unless, of course, the offer involves chocolate. That I can't decline. It's un-American.

also did things. A few zeros just hid away not offering anything and one or two super a**holes just spread misinformation, lies and complaints.

That's what my Daddy used to say to me.

I still love you for what you did and I'm not taking it back.



❤️

If I were your neighbor, you’d never shovel snow or do yard work again.

a lot of snow. Last year, zilch. A couple of years ago, once with a trace and the other with 16 inches.

I also split by hand all my own firewood and love it. I am in shock because there is firewood i'e' logs from fallen trees everywhere but I have no more room around my townhouse to store any more.

We don't have to do yard-work because our HOA takes care of common ground. I HATE yard-work like mowing and weeding and taking care of flowers. My attitude is that I will plant them and then they are on their own and my wife says she kills silk flowers and when we walk through the garden department of Home Depot, the plants say "Don't pick me! I don't want to die!"