Severe Thunderstorms leave many without power (UPDATED)

This morning (June 30, 2012) upon awakening, we found our electricity was still out as we embark on one of, if not the, hottest days of the year so far in 2012.

I am reporting this via my iPod Touch while it, and our Verizon Wireless MiFi still has battery to do so.

See ya later when power returns.

EDIT: Yea!!! Our power has been back on since about 5 minutes before 11AM EDT.

This was no small storm. And many across the Midwest to the East Coast were hit by it. About 7 10 deaths (see FOX News article update) as of about 11:15 AM EDT had been attributed to this storm.

Apparently something like this actually has a name: Derecho

A derecho (Spanish: derecho “right”, pronounced [de̞ˈɾe̞tʃo̞][1]), is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms in the form of a squall line usually taking the form of a bow echo. Derechos blow in the direction of movement of their associated storms, similar to a gust front, except that the wind is sustained and generally increases in strength behind the “gust” front. A warm weather phenomenon, derechos occur mostly in summer, especially June and July in the Northern Hemisphere. They can occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as in the daylight hours.

Some very interesting examples on the Wikipedia site.

Virginia, D.C., Maryland Derecho 2012: Aggressive Storm Knocks Out Power To More Than 1 Million (UPDATED) – HuffPost

Noon Update: 430,000 Remain without Power, Air Conditioning – Manasas Patch

Three states declare emergency after storms leave 10 dead and millions without power – FOX News

Deadly Storms Along the East Coast Leave Millions of People Without Power – NYTimes

Keep Focus on plans for Coal Plant

Keep Focus on plans for Coal Plant
Originally in The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA, Oct 2, 2010. The article is by Bob Burnley

In response to ODEC supposedly putting this 1500 MW ‘twin towers’ 24/7 coal plant on ice for 12-18 months, but all the while still continuing their permit process with the USACE and EPA, Bob Burnley reminds us of the following and more in this article:

The plant would make existing environmental and economic problems in the region worse. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Virginia Beach ranks 45th on a list of the “most challenging places to live with asthma.” Richmond is No. 1. Three thousand tons of ozone-producing nitrogen oxides and 2,000 tons per year of particulate matter from the plant, just upwind from Virginia Beach, would exacerbate this.

The plant would emit mercury, a neurotoxin. Babies exposed before birth can suffer reduced IQ levels and other neurological problems. Children exposed can suffer learning disabilities and other health issues. There has to be a healthier way to generate electricity.

Citizens across the Bay watershed are paying hundreds of millions of dollars to remove nitrogen from discharges to the Bay and its tributaries. This plant and the thousands of tons of nitrogen compounds emitted from its smokestacks could very well doom the Bay, the region’s watermen and a thriving tourist industry. There must be a less polluting way to generate power.

Much more in this must read article.

We can not forget what they want to do to Dendron, Surry County, Hampton Roads, Virginia, or how this coal is obtained from the ancient mountains in Appalachia through MTR and how Wise Engergy for Virginia and others are trying to help keep this from happening.

More information here on my blog.