Stations down from Beryl

[Kelly A]

What are you trying to accomplish exactly? I don't get it.

I explained it already. It was pretty clear. Do you need me to boil it down in simpler terms?

Under your obnoxious questioning, while parts of this market are still under water and suffocating from heat without ac, I think you actually have a partial point: a lot of smaller stations, mostly with niche audiences, do not have the resources or will to provide much if any custom information for their listeners nor do they have the resilient systems to stay on the air continuously during a disaster-type event. That's accurate and not just the case in the Houston market.

I'll take that as a minor compliment, or at least some small understanding.
You've no doubt seen the claims on this site about how local radio can be a lifeline during emergencies. The problem is; as has been illustrated with Beryl, and your comment, that local stations don't have the resources to staff 24/7 to provide instructions or information to the general public. Next, is the reality that the majority of consumers don't have portable radios nor keep fresh batteries around. Finally, many emergency services caught up in an emergency aren't thinking of activating EAS, let alone with a script containing information for the general public via EAS over radio. Most emergency services are hitting the ground determining the impact and trying to contract the general public in the most popular way; cell/smartphones. In the case of weather events, they leave that up to the NWS.

However, the large groups did pretty well here staying on the air and passing information (and maybe even a little normalcy through some regular programming too) to their audiences. While the total number of stations off the air or broadcasting dead is is substantial, I would guess looking at the reports here the stations that remained on the air serving their audiences is probably around 70% or more of total listening.

If that's indeed the case, that's great. The original post seemed to indicate, at least wherever they were, that most local stations were off, or in dead air.
Oh, and guess where the Governor of Texas was during this whole event? Certainly not in a place where he could give instructions for the affected areas.
Seems like he took a page from from Senator Cruz' playbook during the harsh winter a couple years ago.

And if you think of radio as being a collective service as opposed to each station individually carrying all the burden, i think what radio groups and trade associations are pitching -- that radio is a valuable resource that often works when power, cell, and tv is out or inaccessible -- is not inaccurate at all.

In the case of larger cities like Houston or Dallas, I think that's accurate. There are a lot of smaller communities and stations outside the big cities. Especilly in a big state like Texas. It seems unreasonable to expect those stations would be in any position to provide the same level, or any coverage, as a larger station.

 

[IngenieroPerron]

Telemundo had issues yesterday and it seems they are still struggling. Just moments ago, all they were broadcasting was a screen that said "Output 4". They seem to be back now with a national feed of Telemundo programming.

Their Generator failed.

 

[IngenieroPerron]

Its been non stop work for me. All our tower sites were under generator power. As of now, two sites are under generator power since Monday 4 AM. Diesel delivery is slow but tanks are full now. Furtunate that all of our radio stations were on the air 99%. KLTN KAMA KOVE KQBU. We still have issues but are managing around them. For TV unfortunately the Generator for KFTH failed due to a coolant hose and finding quick help was not happening. And every TV on that Tower was also off the air, Telemundo, all the other low powers there, either they had no generator or it failed. KXLN is on generator power. The bigger issue is Internet, Spectrum is having Statewide outage.

 

[Kelly A]

Its been non stop work for me. All our tower sites were under generator power. As of now, two sites are under generator power since Monday 4 AM. Diesel delivery is slow but tanks are full now. Furtunate that all of our radio stations were on the air 99%. KLTN KAMA KOVE KQBU. We still have issues but are managing around them. For TV unfortunately the Generator for KFTH failed due to a coolant hose and finding quick help was not happening. And every TV on that Tower was also off the air, Telemundo, all the other low powers there, either they had no generator or it failed. KXLN is on generator power. The bigger issue is Internet, Spectrum is having Statewide outage.

Hope you get a handle on all the issues soon. I've had generators fail even with proper scheduled maintenance. There's just no way of knowing if a coolant hose might fail, bad fuel gets into the injectors, or a bearing fails in the alternator. And right after a major weather event, finding a replacement hose, let alone a technician to replace it, seems like an impossibility.

 

[bigdonho]

It's a bit scarry that all of these problems were caused by what was, at most, a Cat-1 storm. (Here is south Florida we don't even put up our hurricane shutters for a Cat-1.) How bad would things be if it were a Cat--3, 4 or -5. Sounds like there should be some emergency planning/co-ordination. Maybe the local SBE chapter can do something in the future. Most engineers I know will bust their butts to keep their stations on the air.

 

[BamaTX]

It's a bit scarry that all of these problems were caused by what was, at most, a Cat-1 storm.

A lot of the damage to our electrical lines (at least in our neighborhood) was due to falling trees.

I'm no arborist, but it may be possible that much of the tree damage we saw was residual effects of the "Derecho" storm back in May. I think a lot of trees had their roots shaken up during Derecho and Beryl managed to finish the job of knocking them over. 120 MPH winds in May didn't knock over my neighbors pine trees, but 70 MPH winds on Monday did? Yeah, that doesn't add up. I also wonder if last years drought and excessive heat had a hand in damaging the roots for many of our trees.

But of course, this is just speculation. I'm no expert in trees other than to know not to park under a pecan tree around September/October.

 

[BamaTX]

Hope you get a handle on all the issues soon. I've had generators fail even with proper scheduled maintenance. There's just no way of knowing if a coolant hose might fail, bad fuel gets into the injectors, or a bearing fails in the alternator. And right after a major weather event, finding a replacement hose, let alone a technician to replace it, seems like an impossibility.

You're telling me! My generator just failed this morning. It runs, but it isn't producing power. My expertise in small engines was already limited. I'm not about to service the electrical side.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

I'm no arborist, but it may be possible that much of the tree damage we saw was residual effects of the "Derecho" storm back in May. I think a lot of trees had their roots shaken up during Derecho and Beryl managed to finish the job of knocking them over. 120 MPH winds in May didn't knock over my neighbors pine trees, but 70 MPH winds on Monday did? Yeah, that doesn't add up. I also wonder if last years drought and excessive heat had a hand in damaging the roots for many of our trees.

But of course, this is just speculation. I'm no expert in trees other than to know not to park under a pecan tree around September/October.

I believe it had about as much to do with the deluge of rain we've both had in recent months, which followed 2 very dry years up here in NETX. Like Houston, Tyler had straight-line winds a little better than a month ago that toppled numerous trees. These winds were clocked at Tyler Pounds at 85mph. Other towns around here had 100mph+. During this event, I has 7 red oaks, that we estimate were in excess of 150 years each, pushed over and laid flat on the ground; a Douglas fir, and two pines come crashing down, as well. Remarkably, 6 of the 7 oaks still had their tap roots attached, as did the 60-70 year old fir, simply pulled up to the surface from where they were long buried in the ground. You would think that storm took care of any trees that were in any danger of coming down. Wrong. The 60mph winds from Beryl dropped 2 more trees (a sweet gum and a mimosa) that hung tough during the big storms on June 3rd, but couldn't withstand the diminished winds of, by the time it made it here, Tropical Storm Beryl.

I got a hearty chuckle out of the pecan tree advisory. So very true. It's also smart to never park under a pine, regardless of the time of year. The sap that comes from one is pure murder on a car's clear coat, and some of the cones are typically big enough to dent a vehicle's hood or roof.

 

[Kelly A]

It's a bit scarry that all of these problems were caused by what was, at most, a Cat-1 storm. (Here is south Florida we don't even put up our hurricane shutters for a Cat-1.) How bad would things be if it were a Cat--3, 4 or -5. Sounds like there should be some emergency planning/co-ordination. Maybe the local SBE chapter can do something in the future. Most engineers I know will bust their butts to keep their stations on the air.

The reality is whatever or how much you plan for, something else you didn't expect will happen.

 

[Mark Roberts]

A lot of the damage to our electrical lines (at least in our neighborhood) was due to falling trees.

I'm no arborist, but it may be possible that much of the tree damage we saw was residual effects of the "Derecho" storm back in May. I think a lot of trees had their roots shaken up during Derecho and Beryl managed to finish the job of knocking them over. 120 MPH winds in May didn't knock over my neighbors pine trees, but 70 MPH winds on Monday did? Yeah, that doesn't add up. I also wonder if last years drought and excessive heat had a hand in damaging the roots for many of our trees.

But of course, this is just speculation. I'm no expert in trees other than to know not to park under a pecan tree around September/October.

A friend who lives on the southern edge of the Montrose in Houston sent me this picture today. Lucky for her, she and her husband still have power and they are safe and sound. She wrote me, "About 2.5 million without power. I think they {Centerpoint} were caught unprepared."

 

[IngenieroPerron]

Comcast found a huge cut on their fiber by our building. Im guessing someone driving near Richmond and Sage rd decided to avoid the flooded road, drove over the curb sidewalk and smashed the canister where all the fiber was. There goes our internet, cable tv, and our feed to cable viewers..

 

[davideduardo]

Comcast found a huge cut on their fiber by our building. Im guessing someone driving near Richmond and Sage rd decided to avoid the flooded road, drove over the curb sidewalk and smashed the canister where all the fiber was. There goes our internet, cable tv, and our feed to cable viewers..

In many places those above ground boxes have "crash bars" (I have no idea what they are really called) which are solid concrete filled metal pipes embedded around those boxes so that anything smaller than an 18-wheeler will be kept from destroying the box. That's the same thing they are putting around ATMs to avoid a truck latching on and towing the whole assembly out in the style of that Fast & Furious movie done in Brazil!

 

[Kelly A]

In many places those above ground boxes have "crash bars" (I have no idea what they are really called)

Bollards.

 

[HTX]

Here’s another check from Conroe. A lot better than what it was earlier



88.3 KAFR off

89.7 KACC reduced power

90.5 KJIC off

91.7 KHVU on weak AUX with no RDS & HD

92.1 KROI HD off possibly weaker

94.1 K231DA off

95.3 Air1 translator off

98.7 translator dead air?

99.5 translator dead air

100.7 KKHT back on reduced power

101.5 KLJJ-LP off

101.7 translator dead air

102.5 dead air not KJHJ-LP

103.3 translator off



88.7 KUHF HD4 silent

106.9 KHPT HD3 silent



700 on night towers?

1070 off

1230 off?

1480 off?

1540 off?

1560 off

1590 silent

 

[secondchoice]

Just saw on NBC nightly news still about a million with out power. If I heard it correctly there still could be a half a million after the weekend without electricity. I know they showed GA Power crews headed down there earlier this week. Prayers for everyone still without power.

 

[BamaTX]

Just saw on NBC nightly news still about a million with out power. If I heard it correctly there still could be a half a million after the weekend without electricity. I know they showed GA Power crews headed down there earlier this week. Prayers for everyone still without power.

It's progress, but I do find it incredibly sad how hateful and petty this town has gotten. During Harvey, there were no politics, no blaming, no vitriol. People just tried to stay safe and helped others as much as possible.

But this time around? It's an entire different story. It's become a political and corporate witch hunt. People want blood and politicians are blaming each other with Centerpoint stuck in the middle. Now I'm not saying Centerpoint is a saint, but to their credit they're certainly moving at a faster rate than the Derecho storm back in May (it may not feel like it, but the numbers don't lie). But that doesn't seem to matter. People are acting a tad bit entitled and politicians have picked up on that attitude. I guess the heat is making everyone jumpy...or maybe I'm just an old person now 🤷🏽‍♂️. Who knows.

It certainly doesn't help that our local media keeps flaming the flames with exaggerated headlines that started Monday afternoon. At the moment, the main headline at Chron.com is;

'USELESS AND UNHELPFUL'
CenterPoint struggles to reconnect power across city

They know what they're doing and are implicit in throwing fuel on the fire. I'm all for accountability, but I also understand that a storm can disrupt even the best preparation plans. There's no need to rile up people after a storm. Shame on the Houston Chronicle 😔.

 

[Mrtejano]

It's progress, but I do find it incredibly sad how hateful and petty this town has gotten. During Harvey, there were no politics, no blaming, no vitriol. People just tried to stay safe and helped others as much as possible.

But this time around? It's an entire different story. It's become a political and corporate witch hunt. People want blood and politicians are blaming each other with Centerpoint stuck in the middle. Now I'm not saying Centerpoint is a saint, but to their credit they're certainly moving at a faster rate than the Derecho storm back in May (it may not feel like it, but the numbers don't lie). But that doesn't seem to matter. People are acting a tad bit entitled and politicians have picked up on that attitude. I guess the heat is making everyone jumpy...or maybe I'm just an old person now 🤷🏽‍♂️. Who knows.

It certainly doesn't help that our local media keeps flaming the flames with exaggerated headlines that started Monday afternoon. At the moment, the main headline at Chron.com is;

They know what they're doing and are implicit in throwing fuel on the fire. I'm all for accountability, but I also understand that a storm can disrupt even the best preparation plans. There's no need to rile up people after a storm. Shame on the Houston Chronicle 😔.

Omg you’re so right, I work at a Retail Auto Parts store and most customers came in need for things for their houses during the blackout of The Derecho storm. This time around most every single customer comes mad at us like if it were out fault. First we put signs all around the store CASH ONLY and they would come up with these stories so that we can feel sorry for them and magically turn on power and start taking credit cards for them.

 

[Kelly A]

Just saw on NBC nightly news still about a million with out power. If I heard it correctly there still could be a half a million after the weekend without electricity. I know they showed GA Power crews headed down there earlier this week. Prayers for everyone still without power.

Where's Governor Abbott? Has he returned from his ill-timed trip during a natural disaster in his own state?
No doubt he was offering 'thoughts and prayers' too while tilting back a gin and tonic poolside.

 

[Mark Roberts]

It's progress, but I do find it incredibly sad how hateful and petty this town has gotten. During Harvey, there were no politics, no blaming, no vitriol. People just tried to stay safe and helped others as much as possible.

But this time around? It's an entire different story. It's become a political and corporate witch hunt. People want blood and politicians are blaming each other with Centerpoint stuck in the middle. Now I'm not saying Centerpoint is a saint, but to their credit they're certainly moving at a faster rate than the Derecho storm back in May (it may not feel like it, but the numbers don't lie). But that doesn't seem to matter. People are acting a tad bit entitled and politicians have picked up on that attitude. I guess the heat is making everyone jumpy...or maybe I'm just an old person now 🤷🏽‍♂️. Who knows.
.

As someone who worked for a couple of utilities, I can tell you that they tend to be disliked by their customers. (To be clear, I never worked for Centerpoint; my Houston days were at KTRH.) In my day in Houston, Centerpoint was known as Houston Lighting & Power, and commonly referred to as Houston Looting & Plunder. Some of the dislike comes from the fact that utilities are often run by engineers who are bad at communicating to the public. They can appear to be stubborn and deaf to public concerns. Some of it is that utility financial accounting is just plain weird, starting with the notion of a guaranteed rate of return, and moving on to allowing investments to be recouped through rates - i.e., the more they spend, the better the chances that they will get to recover those expenditures through rates. Yet, when the lights go out, the dependency on a disliked entity becomes quite clear. Utilities aren't saints, by any means: they can be bureaucratic and stuck on old ways of doing things. But they also get pushed and pulled around by all sorts of political pressures. And they make mistakes.
From what I understand, the storm hit Houston harder than expected. Houston was always going to be "on the dirty side" of this one, but Centerpoint may well have planned for less damage than there actually was.

 

[BamaTX]

This time around most every single customer comes mad at us like if it were out fault. First we put signs all around the store CASH ONLY and they would come up with these stories so that we can feel sorry for them and magically turn on power and start taking credit cards for them.

It's a growing social trend of entitlement where no one wants to take accountability and will pass the blame. "It's not my fault I didn't prepare for hurricane season! It must be Centerpoint, Democrats, or Republicans fault! Someone needs to pay for my poor choices".

A friend of mine volunteered at a distribution site that was giving away food and water. He texted me a couple of hours ago that there were way too many unpleasant interactions and would not be going back.

Where's Governor Abbott? Has he returned from his ill-timed trip during a natural disaster in his own state?
No doubt he was offering 'thoughts and prayers' too while tilting back a gin and tonic poolside.

And in less than two hours, you prove my point. We have become incapable of putting politics aside during a natural disaster recovery. You're no different than the Houston Chronicle trying to start a political system during the recovery process 🤦‍♂️.