Some thoughts about the earthquake in hawaii

[Lise]

Wow. Boulders raining down on the Queen K.

The competition is next week, the NBC broadcast isn't until December! How to wait, how to wait? (Have no choice, have no choice! )

[LL_Super_D]

Growing up in Hawaii, I remember feeling an earthquake or two... nothing quite like the frequency in CA though. I haven't been able to reach my family yet due to the phone circuits being overloaded. They are on a different island though so I'm not too terrified... Here's wishing everything returns to normal there soon!

[Trek420]

LL_Super_D "I haven't been able to reach my family yet due to the phone circuits being overloaded. They are on a different island though so I'm not too terrified... "

LLSD, I hope your family is all ok.

This goes double for all in quake/huricane/tornado/monsoon country.

Everyone should have an emergency plan that includes phone contacts.

This is the reason why.

All circuits are busy for a reason.

Your central office (where your dial tone comes from) is an amazing thing, yet it was never meant to be able to carry the traffic of all the thousands in some areas millions of numbers it maintains ALL AT ONCE.

Same goes for wireless traffic.

In an emergency when everyone picks up the phone to call or see if the phones work or call the neighbor or....the sytem shuts itself down to protect the capability for all.

In a quake etc stay off the phone, if you're ok stay off the phone, if you're not quite ok but believe you can make it for 24-48 hours stay off the phone.

Leave the dial tone for emergency personnel.

If it is a life threatening emergency dial 911 of course.

Those of us in quake country it's a good idea to have the POTS (plain ol' telephone service) numbers for police emergency fire on your fridge, and programed into cell.

911 could be down.

At that point whether POTS or 911 if you get slow dial tone (delayed) or no dial tone do...not...hang..up and try again! Stay on the line, wait, it will be there...just wait...see! There it is.

Make your call, hang up.

If you're in a disaster prone area it's a good idea to have a family call tree. Pick a family member outside of your area, aunt Gladys in Peoria for example. She's 80 and retired and unless she's out on another double century she'll be home She will be your contact each hurricane season.

Once you're able to call aunt Gladys, tell her you are ok...or not... if there's something you need like "send Dove chocolate" tell her. Everyone else calls her and not into your area.

Also everyone should have at least one plain ol' no frills no fancy c*&^ phone that does not use AC power. Power is off? Your phone still works but not if the cordless is the only phone in the house.

another good thread here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ncy+phone+plan

[Lise]

We're fortunate to have you as a knowledgeable resource here, Trek.

During the Gulf war, my sister lived in Tel Aviv. The first time the SCUDS hit Tel Aviv, of course I tried to call her, and couldn't get through. I called the operator--"Can I not get through because the lines are tied up, or because there's no there to get through to?" She informed me that the lines were being used for official calls, which told me there were at least officials who could still be on the phone over there. A good lesson.

[Trek420]

Lise "We're fortunate to have you as a knowledgeable resource here, Trek."

Lise, we have a lot of knowlege on this board.

from bee docs to birthin' babys. OK headed out the door.

[chickwhorips]

The competition is next week, the NBC broadcast isn't until December! How to wait, how to wait? (Have no choice, have no choice! )

are you serious! i won't be here!!! are they going to have it on OLN i'm sorry i mean VS. earlier? anyone know?