Re: “Seeking answers on outages”
Thanks for the letter. We couldn’t agree more. What is going on in this area with such inconsistent coverage and support when it comes to dealing with power outages?
Just a few days prior to the 24-hour power outage just experienced here on Robson Street July 20 to 21, we had purchased $2,700 worth of seafood from Fisherman’s Market representing our annual supply for the coming year.
Understandably I was very concerned that our freezer contents would be compromised should any power outage last too long!
We were told by Nelson Hydro at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 20 (2.5 hours into the failure) that the power would not be on until the early morning hours of Saturday, July 21. I was also told “Don’t worry, freezer contents will stay frozen for 24 hours if left unopened.”
Upon waking up at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, realizing there was still no power, I called Nelson Hydro and was told we would not have power until late that day. The individual had also told me that now freezer contents last 48 hours if left unopened. At this point I went to check on the calibre of the freezer contents and realized they would be compromised severely if power was to be out for the now expected 24-hour period.
I went down and rented a generator set for ourselves and the folks next door, in order that our expensive frozen food supplies would not be compromised.
I wish to ask the questions to Nelson city council as follows:
1. Why does the Nelson power grid not know which sections are out of power?
2. Why do outlying areas get assistance before city centre taxpayers when it is simply the case of a 15-minute transformer change out?
3. In these modern technological times, is it up to citizens to inform authorities when the power is out?
Blake Covernton, Nelson