Special offer
Peter Testa, PETER TESTA (Nationwide Homes)

Spam prevention
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

         Being a Florida native, and having experienced many hurricanes, we are totally prepared.  Stores of water, food, fuel, gas grill, and the necessary items for defense against looters.

     In 2016 Hurricane Matthew knocked out the power and the running water for one week.  I used my cell phone for internet service.  Of course, just about everyone else in town was out of power, all business slowed to a crawl, closings were re-scheduled, etc.

May 22, 2018 10:01 AM
Rainmaker
399,703
PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent)
PropertyMinder, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Modern Tools for the Modern Agent

Warm welcome back to you, Peter Testa - really glad to hear you and your family are safe. Mother Nature can be particularly brutal, these days. - Tim

May 22, 2018 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have a friend in CT whose power was down for six days. They put in a generator yesterday. Have personally never experienced quite anything like this... so don't know what I'd do. If power goes out at night I just sleep. If I need light I read by a flashlight.

May 22, 2018 09:58 AM
Rainer
417,071
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Happy you are safe! I have solar panels, but they would be ruined in a tornado. My biggest natural disaster threats are: fire or earthquake. I cut 250 feet of everything down around the house and trees trimmed for a ten foot man to walk under. I have a foam spray retardant that if I'm home I could use on roof (tile) and eaves to prevent sparks catching but I live very rural on a ranch- if I was at office would not get home to save my pets. Neighbor and I share pet exchange numbers in case of emergency. He would load them in the truck that is parked by the barn (he has keys) In an earthquake all I can do is shut off propane and rebuild. 

One tip- buy a solar charger for your phone and a small solar unit (keep in a box in the basement) which could be brought out after a tornado. Don't have a basement? Time to dig a cellar. Save water, your generator and a couple gas cans of fuel in the cellar with the tomatoes and peaches your wife can preserve

May 22, 2018 12:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,456
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Welcome back,  Peter. I am glad to hear you and your family are okay.

If there was any disruption I would likely power down in all/any interpretation of the phrase. 

 

May 22, 2018 11:27 AM
Rainer
289,507
Byron K . Jones
Coatesville, PA
List Today - Sold Tomorrow!

we have a generator, and plenty of water/items for the grill which we use year round anyway so we are good

May 22, 2018 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

 Wow! Peter Testa I can't imagine going through what you went through last week.  That same storm blew through my area, western PA & NY but did not do much damage.  Usually, the worst natural disaster in this area is a major snowstorm, but most Erieites are well-prepared. Erie, PA even survived seven feet of snow in seven days from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve, 2017.

Welcome back to the Rain, ActiveRain.

May 22, 2018 10:56 AM
Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Peter,
Glad you are safe and things are getting back up and running.  I am only prepared in my mind... you know the old que sera sera thing.  I don't have a generator.  

May 22, 2018 10:40 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Sorry to hear that. We have a generator now, but before we had one, a Derecho came through and power was out for 3-5 days in this area. It is annoying. That's when we decided to get a generator.

May 22, 2018 10:07 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I don't think I'm ready but I'm glad that you are doing fine Peter Testa ! It's important to stay safe.

May 22, 2018 10:05 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,939
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We do not have a generator so we are in the dark when the power goes off. 

May 22, 2018 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I would tether my phone & still be able to use the internet for emergency things only. Generator is a great help I am sure.

May 22, 2018 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,215,388
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

When I was in Florida lived clsoe to a hospital and was on their grid. Never lost power for very long. Sorry you had the interruption.

Now live in downtown Chicago where outages are rare.

May 22, 2018 02:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

The generator I had went kaput, so I'm waiting on a better one to go on sale with Costco.  Most power outages we have here are wind and rain related.  You can also bet on it going out when the temperatures stay over 90 for a few days or hit the 100 degree mark on a weekend.  In those cases, power outages are usually localized to specific grids and I have family and  on different grids that I can go to and vacant listings I can check up on if needed.

May 22, 2018 12:47 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

not very prepared.... I always say I'm getting a generator, and I never do.... 

May 22, 2018 12:24 PM
Rainmaker
472,114
JoAnn Moore
The Mortgage Market of Delaware - Georgetown, DE
Home Loans in Delaware

So sorry for you and your neighbors. Sounds like you have been humming along pretty well considering the circumstances. Are you able to go out in your car to a Starbucks or McDonalds to have access to Wifi?

When our power goes out for awhile, I like having a flashlight and a book but that's just for a short while.   

May 22, 2018 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Sounds like you functioned well, Peter Testa !  I just wait for the power to go back on - and it usually does pretty quick!  I cannot imagine what we would do for an extended time with no power.

May 22, 2018 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,310,972
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Glad that you were unharmed.

May 22, 2018 11:42 AM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Wow, sounds like a challenge.  I don't live in Tornado country, but have been without power for up to 5 days. Since then I have added a generator, have hot spots available through my phone and on occasion packed up everything I needed and gone elsewhere to get things done.  

May 22, 2018 10:38 AM
Rainmaker
4,881,462
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

First off good to hear you did not suffer any major damage. We probably should have a generator.  About we have are several flash lights, and a battery powered radio.

May 22, 2018 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

We have a generator ... but I'm not sure how prepared we are overall for the next natural disaster.  We do have food and water that will last a while should we experience a disaster in our area.  We have lots of candles and batteries.  Glad you are okay!

May 22, 2018 07:24 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It would depend on the amount of time. A couple of hours... no problem. When it was out for months due to the flood I purchased two generators to run my tools to aid in rebuilding Peter Testa .

May 22, 2018 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
805,799
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Hi Peter sorry to hear about the disaster. I am happy to hear you, your family are okay and your home suffered little damage. We live in the mountains the next fire could be at any time. We are somewhat ready depending on the notice we are given.

May 22, 2018 06:34 PM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

It is miserable, I was lost until I realized I could charge my phone in the car.  I'm lost without power or technology.

May 22, 2018 03:05 PM
Ambassador
3,854,786
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Glad that you,your house and your family are safe. We have had a whole house generator since '99 and I am very spoiled.

May 22, 2018 02:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Peter,

We had to use our phones for Wi-Fi during the fires and subsequently during the mud slide.  A

May 22, 2018 02:29 PM
Rainer
247,499
Jerry Thomas-Construction Loans
Cranbrook Loans - Farmington Hills, MI
Construction Loans in MI, OH, PA, VA, GA and FL.

Glad to hear that you and your family are OK. I head up to the nearest coffee shop whenever our power is out. 

May 22, 2018 01:49 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

My critical data is in the cloud so I can work from anywhere (that has air conditioning!)

May 22, 2018 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
1,292,363
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Our area has above ground wires, so any big storm, especially during the winter can be a cause for loss of power. Have not yet bitten the bullet for a generator, but thinking about it.

May 22, 2018 01:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Oh, my goodness, so sorry to hear what happened to your area, but glad you were prepared and were able to get through it okay.  

We have a whole house generator as well as a portable generator for our chicken coop, just in case their power goes out.  In summer, it keeps the automatic waterer going and in winter, it keeps lamps on.  We have been out of power in the past for several days, but amazingly did not lose cable, so had internet, which is really all you need.  LOL

May 22, 2018 01:00 PM
Rainer
427,147
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Call my wife’s grandfather and thank him for his old generator. Then I call my father and tell him we did a great job wiring it 

May 22, 2018 12:44 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Read a book! Ah, that sounds nice!

Actually, we own a generator. But I think I'd take advantage of it and take a break :-)

Sounds like a rough week for you and your neighbors! -K

May 22, 2018 10:58 PM
Ambassador
5,228,997
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh my gosh, I had no idea, Peter! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this but, I'm happy to hear that you're okay.

As for preparedness, not enough! We so rarely have any sort of natural disasters that we just don't think about it. The last natural disaster I survived here in Charlotte was in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo ripped through here - I was out of power for 3 weeks and swore I'd never live without a generator again. 

And, nope, I don't have a generator yet...nor have we needed one for more than a few hours since 1989!

May 22, 2018 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

We have a small generator so could manage for awhile. If I have gas in the car I can go get food, work from my office and charge my phone or use wifi in multiple locations. I would not like to live without my air conditioning at home. I am spoiled.

May 22, 2018 07:06 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

ready enough...food, shelter etc. is on duty. I remain aware & reachable. Let  come what may...come...... and we shall overcome whatever it is

May 22, 2018 12:29 PM
Rainer
92,713
Ruth Grainger-Starr
Gold District Realty - Cripple Creek, CO
providing AWESOME real estate adventures

I am glad you and your family are safe and ok. 

When we have power outages or major storms I normally write letters, organize my home office and take care of the cattle. A major disaster for us is wildfires, which I would be busy getting animals moved. But I think letters or cards help me keep sane with real estate. 

May 23, 2018 11:35 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Good to know that you and your family are safe and your home did not suffer major damage.  

California disasters are earthquakes and most recently fires!  Prepared?  probably not. 

May 23, 2018 08:42 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Hope the expensive generator does its job! It did, but gas company could not deliver propane due to road closures, so be prepared, keep it full! We had to economize and only turn on for essentials first few days: showers, coffee, regrigerator.

We are in New Fairfield, CT - close to you.

Got our power back in five days; just got internet.

 

 

May 23, 2018 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
2,240,861
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Shift gears and find a low tech way to keep working on something real estate related.

May 23, 2018 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

We had it here in NH with 2 giant ice storms and a wind storm the last 5 years. Power up the generator and i use the wi fi from iphone and with Sprint unlimited, no data charges

May 23, 2018 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Oh my gosh - that stinks. I'm sorry you had to go through that. We lost power in March due to a rogue snow storm that dumped a foot of snow in about 4 hours. Wires down in front of the house - couldn't plow the street so we couldn't go anywhere. We cooked all the food in our refrig/freezer and read a few books.

May 23, 2018 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Peter Testa - just hope that it comes back soon!

Planning to buy the generator....

May 22, 2018 09:56 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I personally crank up my generator.

May 22, 2018 08:59 PM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Not sure what I would do. No generator here but probably worth considering. Sorry you are dealing with this, aas many others are, too! Best news is you are safe!

May 22, 2018 08:49 PM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We have mobile offices that we drag around to our projects equipped with plenty of batteries, generators, and solar panels.

May 22, 2018 08:29 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Scream my head off.......LOL

May 24, 2018 02:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,374,323
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes

Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Glad everyone is safe. We have a generator and are prepared for emergencies

May 23, 2018 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

We are ready - it is prudent to have a plan B - happy to hear you emerged unscathed!

May 23, 2018 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

 I do have candles and flashlights

May 23, 2018 06:09 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

When power goes out here it generally for a few hours.. we don't have hurricanes or tornadoes to worry about.  Sometimes during a storm some lines go down, but they are generally repaird very quickly.  The last time there was a power outage, it lasted for an hour.

May 23, 2018 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I usually take my laptop and search for a Starbucks or friend with an office that has wi-fi.

May 23, 2018 04:57 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Usually in large condominiums it is only 24-48 hours max without power.

Dec 02, 2018 05:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I will take vacation. :)

Dec 02, 2018 05:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Find a star bucks

 

May 28, 2018 03:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sorry to hear Peter, hopes it comes back on soon.   I cannot remember the last time we lost power.  It is very rare around here.

May 26, 2018 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Make sure I drink the beer before it gets warm!

May 24, 2018 01:35 PM