Wind power

View from Dexter-Pinckney Rd., 3/16/12

Today was another breathtaking record breaker of summertime before the spring solstice.  I couldn't resist taking a little bike ride after work, to go see first hand what has been all over the local and national news.

It took my breath away.

The first thing I noticed was yellow police tape on almost every mailbox south of N. Territorial, denoting that the home at the end of the driveway had suffered damage.  House after house was covered with blue tarp were the roof had been before 5PM yesterday.  The sound of generators was at every corner since the electricity hasn't yet been restored, along with saws, hammers, pieces of house being thrown into dumpsters which now are on every corner.  I saw countless utility trucks working on wires, trees, and gas lines.  All entrances to the area are still blocked by state police, but there were people everywhere, working, walking, sharing the tale of survival.  I rode home through Hudson Mills Metropark.  It was disconcerting to see what appeared to be litter down by the river pathway.  On closer inspection I could see that it was debris blown up to a quarter mile away:  house shingles, clothing, a flower pot...

Wind velocity:  135 mph in this F3 tornado
Preliminary damage estimate:  $32,000,000.00
Most amazing fact:  NO ONE was killed or injured!


I'm always happy to be able to get a good run in, especially on a beautiful evening.  After seeing how quickly a normal day can turn into something very different, I feel even more fortunate.

3/16/12 - 1.9 miles | 22 min | 5.1 mph | 203 kcal