Regarding the Recovery From the Ice Storm
I believe a lot of people have an unrealistic view of what needs to be done to recover from a major ice storm.
Comments like these are common on social media today.
Unfortunately, this comment reveals a lack of understanding as to what has to happen to get power back up and running. If media reports are correct, more than 200 power poles in Nashville were snapped. It takes a considerable amount of time to get each of them replaced. There is also damage to the high voltage transmission lines.Can you imagine having a job where you have to sit on the skid of a helicopter in freezing weather to make repairs?! The linemen are heroes!!Given that hundreds of extra crews and utility trucks were brought in ahead of the storm (based on the weather forecasts of a major ice storm), I'm not sure what Robby would have done differently.
Which brings us to personal responsibility. Starting the morning of the 22nd, and continuing through the weekend, you saw this and ever more dire warnings about the ice storm and preparation recommendations. This was weather science at its best!
There are excellent television meteorologists in Nashville and I know they were providing similar information. We even provided suggestions as to how to use your iPhone in satellite mode if/when the cell network failed!I'm not saying NES or other utilities have done everything perfectly and, if we had a National Disaster Review Board we would learn how to improve in the future, but now is not the right time to complain. Let's get the power back on and then start the reviews.
At some point, people who are economically well off should stop blaming others and ask themselves if they prepared properly for the storm. Then, if possible, they should be pitching in with money and/or with their talent to help with the recovery efforts.




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