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

Rockefeller: Coal must ‘boldly embrace’ the future

Rockefeller: Coal must ‘boldly embrace’ the future – Coal Tattoo:

Without good health it’s difficult to hold down a job or live the American dream. Chronic illness is debilitating and impacts a family’s income, prosperity and ultimately its happiness.

The annual health benefits of the rule are enormous. EPA has relied on thousands of studies that established the serious and long term impact of these pollutants on premature deaths, heart attacks, hospitalizations, pregnant women, babies and children.

Moreover, it significantly reduces the largest remaining human-caused emissions of mercury–a potent neurotoxin with fetal impacts.

Maybe some can shrug off the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and others but I cannot.

Amen and Amen.

Thank you, Sen. Rockefeller!

I am so happy to see this from the Senior United States Senator from West Virginia!

Maybe this will make a difference for West Virginians and also here in Hampton Roads, Virginia with the proposed 1500 MW Cypress Creek Power Station (ODEC’s proposed coal plant in Dendron, Surry County, VA).

Just one from the very interesting comment section:

Howard Swint says:
June 20, 2012 at 1:18 pm

I support Sen. Rockefeller for his bold leadership in this speech. It’s been a long time coming…

EDIT: Here is the link for the poll:

http://wvgazette.com/polls/201206230087

Apparently any readers of the paper can vote, no matter where you live as purported by FriendsOfCoal.org. So please go vote your mind.