ShipStore.com Beacon: Recovering from Devastating Wind Storm

Issue 69, February 21, 2006

http://www.ShipStore.com

Floating your boat since 1982 TM





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IN THIS ISSUE:

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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from the Editor

~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing



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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from the Editor

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Due to a huge windstorm, our region of New York State was without power for 3 days starting last Friday. Power was restored late Sunday, however our building was damaged and our phones and computers are still a mess. The website is functional, but our offices have been closed while we struggle to resolve the most pressing problems.



I'm going to keep this newsletter short and focused, but here's the overview: We lost power from Friday noon to Sunday around 5pm. According to meteorologists, a collision between last Friday's cold front and the unseasonably warm front it replaced were the cause of the devastating wind storms which ravaged the North Country. Winds gusted to well above 60 miles per hour, damaging hundreds of utility poles and power lines in our region of upstate New York, and temperatures plummeted to -10F.



By the time the winds subsided, 225,000 National Grid (our utility company) customers had lost electricity, and today -- over four days later -- there are still some homes and businesses without power. Some will still be without power this weekend. The Westport Volunteer Fire Department brought firewood and portable generators to people's houses to run heat for an hour or two before going on to the next house. The Town of Westport opened the Town Hall and offered a warm space with food for any who needed to leave their houses.



We discovered that almost every electronic device not connected to a surge suppressor is now destined for the dump. One surge suppressor actually shorted out and went up in smoke! Thankfully, we were in the building when it happened and we could kill the power. The phone system was damaged, but it would restart. The time clock and 4 computers are now all dead.



All the other mission critical machines were restored by Tuesday morning. Capt. Jim never really believed that these devices were useful. He has a new opinion. They are worth every penny.



Mark, our webmaster, put a note online to let our customers know what was happening and mentioned the Shake Light (killer sale price for the next week). They were a big hit at Christmas and even more popular over the last few days. We learned that in addition to being good lights, they are perfect for young kids in power failures. The kids can take them to bed for peace-of-mind and the batteries won't die if they are left on. Just shake it a few times and the light returns to the room. It made a difficult situation a little more comfortable for Capt. Jim's 4-year old nephew.



Take a look at the articles and videos from two local newspapers, "The Post-Star" in Glens Falls and "The Press Republican" in Plattsburgh.



From the National Weather Service: Hazardous Weather Outlook

Damage reports all over the region

Schools closing early because of power outages

Update: Heavy winds tear off roof, trees and power lines

Video report: Storm damage

Strong winds leave thousands in the dark

Shelters set up in Essex County

Storm notes: Schools letting students out early

Wind throws tree on truck in Saratoga Spa State Park, killing man

Video report: Roof blows off Chestertown lumber yard, lands on trucks

Wind whips through region

Wind throws tree on truck in Saratoga Springs, killing man

Wind woes continue

Firefighters, town workers help those without power

After storm, no traffic signals? That's a problem

Area still has 50,000 without power, but it could be Wednesday until all are back

Windstorm aftermath continues in Moriah

National Grid criticized for windstorm response

Those without power making the best of it

Outage update: 9,000 without power



As you can see, things have been challenging on our end. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused for our customers, and we assure you that we are working hard to get life back to normal. Orders are being shipped, and we'll soon be fully caught up with the backlog. Thank you for your understanding and patience.



George Davis, Beacon Editor

editor@shipstore.com



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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing

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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com. To be eligible for future "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawings all you have to do is subscribe to the Beacon. All current subscribers are eligible for the random drawing. If you're not already subscribed, then visit http://www.shipstore.com and click the "Win a Shopping Spree!" link along the top of your screen.



Once you subscrive you'll be sent a confirmation email which you must respond to in order to activate your subscription and be added to our mailing list. This double opt-in procedure enables us to prevent accidental subscriptions and spam. As soon as your confirmation is confirmed, you will be entered into the "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawing for a $100.00 free merchandise from ShipStore.com. Good luck.



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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

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COPYRIGHT 2005 ShipStore.com (tm) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy, print or forward this newsletter for use as a shopping, boating or travel resource as long as it is not altered in any way and sent in its entirety. Any other use of materials on this Web site--including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication--without the prior written permission of Westport Marina, Inc. is strictly prohibited.



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CONTACT INFORMATION

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ShipStore.com

6039 Route 9N

Westport, NY 12993

Telephone: 518-962-2700

Toll Free: 877-SHIPSTORE (US and Canada)

Fax: 518-962-4582