We're on day 2 of the aftermath of the recent storm (see previous blog). I had some really big surprises today as I ventured out to buy some cat food. First I went to my bank for some money from the ATM; no electricity, bank closed and ATM disabled. So I headed to another branch nearby. I encountered no stop lights at almost every intersection. Every major intersection was a 4-way stop with no lights working.  As I reached my other branch, it was quite evident that it was closed as well and no electricity. With that idea shut down, I checked for a store. I finally located a CVS store open. I had to pay twice my usual price for my cat food, but at this point I didn't care. I just wanted to go home! Since my cash flow was low, I used my debit card. The cashier advised only the credit was being used, as for some reason the network wouldn't accept debits. What next? 
It was hard driving around town, as you have to travel with extreme caution and beware of cones in the streets where trees have fallen or power lines are down waiting for repair.  I don't think I realized how severe our emergency was until I got out to drive and actually saw how difficult it was to travel around, and besides, NOTHING WAS OPEN. South of our town a local McDonald's had not lost electricity, and there was a half hour wait for the drive-thru! The restaurant was crammed with people. Other restaurants who had somehow escaped loss of electricity were dealing with excessive people as well. My thought was why these people do not prepare for emergencies! As for myself, I try to be prepared (note to stock up on cat food for future events), keeping lots of candles available and plenty of bottled water in advance. Having a grill is a necessity too! Anyway, looked like many were caught off guard.
We did not anticipate this great of a storm. In the preceding days we were told there was a SLIGHT chance of bad weather, that it probably would not happen, that we were on the borderline of MAYBE tornado watches.  Just goes to show you the weather people cannot always predict what Mother Nature intends. Now the weathermen have called the storm a Category 1 Dry Hurricane, since we had no rain, just wind.
Anyway, despite all the damage, I see people now gathering together, working together, helping one another - something you do not see normally. When my electricity was out, it was great seeing neighbors gathered together on porches chatting and laughing despite the problems. Just like we did many years ago before all the technology was available. Strip us from electricity and satellites, we are destined to return to what has been lost over the years.
As an update, our governor has declared an emergency for our state, and we're welcoming electric companies and other assistance from states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia. To those of you who live in those states, THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!
My son got my front yard done today as far as picking up larger limbs, and then he tried raking. With all the debris, he said it was best to just "fling it".  I saw properties today devastated with huge trees down, a telephone pole snapped in two with the transformer laying on the ground. My thoughts were how in the world people in the Gulf region deal with this?  They have it worse!! Their homes are gone, and their neighborhoods wiped out! I just keep telling myself that even though this seems bad to me, there are others who are suffering with anguish over storms much more than me. I guess it is like when you go through hard times, and you realize somebody always has it worse off than you.
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read more blogs!
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kywonder
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Sep 16 @ 12:12AM
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You guys must have had a tornado. We just got a little wind here in KY.
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LongRanger278
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Sep 16 @ 12:37AM
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What part of Ohio do you live in?
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skylar4
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Sep 16 @ 6:49AM
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Cinti is still a mess also & the police are getting testy with people on the road. I got the trees & debris to the street & other damage will wait. We have now been informed 71 N has been shut down, Main water break! At the moment, My daughters wedding is planned at a local park for Sat. Rehersal Fri Eve. It is shut down & may not be open or have pwr No plan B for all of this I have out of town guests arriving tomorrow for the wedding. They have hotels. HA! No pwr, now No water, much shopping, nothing open Maybe an OMEN!  I didn't say that did I 
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cOuNtRyGiRl816
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Sep 16 @ 7:52AM
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hey there. I live in SouthEastern Ohio and we got slammed pretty bad too. I was at my moms when the high winds started and didn't think it was too much of a big deal since it was still sunny out. But by the time I was trying to get home, there were trees down everywhere!! I had to switch routes twice because the 2 most commonly used routes were blocked by trees. I had to go completely out of my way!! And then finally when I did get home, I was scared. I have a huge tree right in front of my house, and i was creaking and cracking all night. I thought for sure I was going to be rudely awoken by the tree smashing into the house!!! We suffered alot of damage as well, and several surrounding towns are predicted to be out of power for up to 7 days! Fortunately mine only went out for an hour or so, but I get electric from my town. Its a small little electric country and its lines apparently weren't too affected by the winds. However, most of the other towns, and some in mine as well, are serviced by the big companies such as AEP, and those are the ones predicted to be out for a while.
I count myself lucky!
We all have to hang in there and try to help others as much as we can!
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missliss78
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Sep 16 @ 10:55AM
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I've seen the ravages of these types of storms, so I can relate to what you have seen/experienced. I could not imagine going thru what the folks on the Gulf Coast have experienced. My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering from this storm. 
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