[tar21]

I knew someone who lived in florida and said that during and up to a week after a hurricane they either do not get any tap water or that it was contaminated and not safe to use. In what cities do, and do not get tap water during a hurricane? During a hurricane do you get tap water or does it shut off? And if it shuts off how long is it usually off for? Also do you ever have sewage water come out from the tap during a hurricane?

[unquiltom]

When a hurricane hits, the power grid is pretty much shut down, to prevent fires. Once the grid is shut down, the water can no longer be pumped out under pressure. How long the water will be off depends on the damage to the electrical grid around the water pumping stations. No damage to the wires and the water will be back on quickly. Sever damage, and it could take some time.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by unquiltom

When a hurricane hits, the power grid is pretty much shut down, to prevent fires. Once the grid is shut down, the water can no longer be pumped out under pressure. How long the water will be off depends on the damage to the electrical grid around the water pumping stations. No damage to the wires and the water will be back on quickly. Sever damage, and it could take some time.

Also lot of homes in Florida have wells so the pumps do not work without electricity so if you don't have a generator, you are without water until electricity comes on. Wise to test well water before using, too. Some homes here in Brevard County had no water or electricity for 3 weeks. We had 10 long, hot days without electricity, but we had cold tap water for showers. We didn't drink the tap water though till city said it was safe.

We had running water through every hurricane I have been through (5 or 6). But you do not use it because of possible contamination. In a few Cat 1s some areas of town never lost lights through the whole storm so power grids do not get turned off just because the storm has reached us. In my experience they went off as lines came down and transformers blew. We even had underground electric wires and lost lights for 5 days in Hurricane Erin. The lines bringing the power to our subdivision were down or transformers blew.

[tar21]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Also lot of homes in Florida have wells so the pumps do not work without electricity so if you don't have a generator, you are without water until electricity comes on. Wise to test well water before using, too. Some homes here in Brevard County had no water or electricity for 3 weeks. We had 10 long, hot days without electricity, but we had cold tap water for showers. We didn't drink the tap water though till city said it was safe.

We had running water through every hurricane I have been through (5 or 6). But you do not use it because of possible contamination. In a few Cat 1s some areas of town never lost lights through the whole storm so power grids do not get turned off just because the storm has reached us. In my experience they went off as lines came down and transformers blew. We even had underground electric wires and lost lights for 5 days in Hurricane Erin. The lines bringing the power to our subdivision were down or transformers blew.

What do you mean by "possible contamination" does sewage water start coming out of the taps or what? How does the water get contaminated? Can you still use tap water for washing your hands? Also does the water department use generators keep the flow going or just shut down the whole system instead?

[jambo101]

It would be in your best interest to stock up on bottled water food supplies fuel for your camping stove long before a hurricane is actively in the forecast as once a hurricane is headed your way the stores run out of essentials fast..
And just before a hurricane hits fill up your sinks and bathtub with water as it could take a week or two before power is restored.

[DanBev]

I was out of power after a hurricane for 7 days but was smart enough to have generator and ample supply of gas,common sense.
With a 5500/8500 generator had convienience of everything including computer.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by DanBev

I was out of power after a hurricane for 7 days but was smart enough to have generator and ample supply of gas,common sense.
With a 5500/8500 generator had convienience of everything including computer.

After Wilma people were driving from South Florida to Melbourne, just to fill their gas tanks and gas cans. Many also bought generators and batteries to take back with them. Even though most big box stores send truck after truck before and after a hurricane the merchandise after the 2004 hurricanes were sold almost immediately.

A whole house generator would be nice. Our portable will keep fridge and pump going for water. Need to lock the portable generators down and make sure that the fumes from yours or neighbors do not get in your house, too. Lots of stolen generators in 2004. It cost too much to keep generator running and gas was in short supply for most people after Jeanne so a lot were used sparingly-maybe to keep the refrigerator going andf the pump for well long enough to get shower. We lived in a condo and the air reeked with fumes....no windows to keep it out of your condos so we actually loved it when they all shut down and the courtyard was totally quiet without all the motors running. We tended to live on our balcony in the dark and just use a flashlight to go from room to room.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by unquiltom

When a hurricane hits, the power grid is pretty much shut down, to prevent fires. Once the grid is shut down, the water can no longer be pumped out under pressure. How long the water will be off depends on the damage to the electrical grid around the water pumping stations. No damage to the wires and the water will be back on quickly. Sever damage, and it could take some time.

This is 100% false......I have been through several high power hurricanes and never lost power. If lines are damaged, power will be out but they certainly don't shut it off to prevent fires!

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by tar21

What do you mean by "possible contamination" does sewage water start coming out of the taps or what? How does the water get contaminated? Can you still use tap water for washing your hands? Also does the water department use generators keep the flow going or just shut down the whole system instead?

Water stays flowing from city/county taps......the only ones with no water are people on private wells/no power. Contamination can come from breaks, from wells that are overpowered by flooding but as a rule city/county water is fine during a hurricane.

[d4g4m]

I've been here for 30 years. Never have I ever heard power being turned off to prevent fires. If a power company turned off electric on purpose, they would be open to law suits from many entities [stores with refrigerated products, special needs people, buildings with elevators, traffic lights, etc]
And I've never lost getting tap water. I've lost electric for 3 days because a falling pine tree took out the line for 3 streets.