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NH and a killer Ice Storm

By Monika McGillicuddy

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

December 17, 2008 08:26 AM

Ice Berries I've been off Active Rain for nearly a week.

New Hampshire for those of you that are unaware has suffered a terrible ice storm.

Jay and I are lucky but very cold.

Our power went out SIX days ago... yes 6 days ago and to date is still out.

Today the temperature in our home was 45 degrees and dropping. We have no running water, no Internet, no heat and are very worried about bursting pipes.

We are indeed lucky we have a motor home and while it had been winterized and all items removed and stored for the winter we were able to get if filled with propane and can sleep in it.

It has a generator but little else. No running water or potty...but it has heat! Sleeping in a tin can (motor home ) not meant for 30 degree temperatures is better than sleeping in the freezing house.

Better yes, but I am very drained and trying hard to make the best of it.

I don't know when we'll get power back and people in NH have died trying to keep warm. Four so far...imagine people dying trying to keep warm!

We're lucky, I do know that and I am very grateful for what I have!

If I can't get back on for awhile...

Merry Christmas everyone and stay warm!

You can read more and see some pictures on NHRealtyScoops.com

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John Walters

Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA

Licensed in Louisiana

Monika doesn't it make you wonder how people survived last century. Hope you get power back soon.

Dec 17, 2008 08:32 AM

Steve Loynd

Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH

800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Monika, I have seen the numbers improving steadily the last few days, sounds like less than 100,000 electric customers are out. I had heard last week it was over 400,000 at one point. I know that doesn't make you feel better but they are working on it. Best of luck, I see a generator in your future.

Dec 17, 2008 08:35 AM

Jeff Kessler

Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Stay warm. Hope you guys get your power back soon.

Dec 17, 2008 08:37 AM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Goodness. I lost elec. for 5 days when I lived in Bethesda and Isabel came through. It was tough but so am I.

I lost elec. here in VA last winter after an ice storm. It lasted 3 days. I gave up after 2 days and went to a motel. I must be getting soft.

I'm sure you and Jay will get through, but I know from experience that it's hard. Our homes weren't built for this.

Glad you got to a computer. You folks must be going stir crazy.

You're lucky you have each other.

Dec 17, 2008 08:53 AM

Midori Miller

Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL

Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Monika and Jay-I cant imagine..I'm sending the warmest hugs I can send you two! I can't even imagine..it brought some tears to my eyes in truth..I don't know that I could survive it. Just shot you an email..I didn't want to call you..you need to save all of your resources. If there is anything we can do..please let us know.

Dec 17, 2008 08:56 AM

Linda Scanlan

A Consumer's View - Burleson, TX

Moni, I wish you could have come to visit me. Although we've had our share of cold and ice ourselves the last few days. Maybe they'll have your power on tomorrow. Love you guys.

Dec 17, 2008 10:59 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

No longer will I complain about our little bit of ice on the ground and two bad days. You really have it bad! Hope you get heat back soon.

Dec 17, 2008 12:02 PM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Monika you and Jay will be in my prayers, and the prayers of a Yankee Fan can accomplish much. If you want to take a drive to Middletown, Connecticut, there will be a warm room and hot shower waiting for you.

Dec 17, 2008 12:49 PM

Christopher Bonta

The Bean Group - Londonderry, NH

Realtor, Integrity and Honesty

Monika, I wish you and Jay the very best, my family just got power back the other day and today was my first time back on AR and I too posted about my experience. This was one nasty storm and things don't look good for this weekend either!

Dec 17, 2008 01:12 PM

Terrie Leighton

Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV

Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

Man does it ever sound cold where you live! But I love your attitude! You are lucky to have a motor home and a warm place at night! Hope things get back to normal soon!

Dec 17, 2008 02:00 PM

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Hang in there Monika... that thing you call a tin can is actually a pretty darn nice hotel room. Keep the heat cranked up and we'll say a prayer you'll get power restored soon... and don't have any burst pipes!

Dec 17, 2008 07:18 PM

Ann Cummings

RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Monika - glad to see you found a connection somewhere. It amazes me that in this day and age, 2008, that so many are still without power. I know why, because of all the severe tree damage and blown transformers, but it doesn't make it any easier.

We still have some agents in my office without power like you, mostly out in areas towards you. I know it's frustrating to see the numbers Unitil and PSNH have been putting out in their updates and knowing they're so incorrect.

I hope TODAY is YOUR day for power to come back on.

I think there are generators in the futures of a lot of us here in NH and Maine!
Ann

Dec 18, 2008 01:57 AM

Amy Margolis

Lebanon Property Management, Inc - Lebanon, NH

Hi Monika,

I sure do hope your power comes back on a.s.a.p. but if you are worried about frozen pipes for yourself-or any of your clients- you might want to talk to a plumber about adding antifreeze, at least down the drains and into your toilet so the fixtures don't break. Antifreeze does somewhat comprimize the integrity of your heating system (FHW) but when you're looking at loosing the system vs loosing a little integrity, sometimes it's worth adding it in! Definitely advise any clients to seek a professional though but they might appreciate knowing there is something proactive they can do!

Dec 18, 2008 04:35 AM

Monika McGillicuddy

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH

Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

We finally got our power back tonight! Thank you everyone!

Dec 19, 2008 10:29 AM

Christopher Bonta

The Bean Group - Londonderry, NH

Realtor, Integrity and Honesty

That's great Monika, now do you have gas in your snow plow!!!

Dec 19, 2008 11:49 AM

Amanda Evans

DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX

Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

I thought about you a couple of times over the last few days and wondered if you were able to take shelter in your motorhome. I hadn't considered that it would be "put away" for winter! Yikes!

So glad to hear that the power is back on and you are enjoying the comforts of home!

Dec 19, 2008 12:49 PM

Dona Reynolds

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO

St. Joseph MO

Monika, GREAT NEWS, YOU HAVE POWER! We experienced that last year (without a motor home) Luckily, we had some firewood to get the fireplaces going but it still is not fun as we had to cook on the outdoor grill but we survived like you. It just makes us thankful for all we have. Hope your holiday is looking a little brighter. Merry Christmas

Dec 19, 2008 12:59 PM