STORM DAMAGE CLEANUP (part 1)

On the night of November 30, there was a storm and apparently a small tornado.  The large tree near the front of the old house ended up on top even though it had been leaning away.  The first two pictures were taken the next morning.  It really doesn't look all that bad from the outside, but looks are deceptive.  The second picture shows a little different view.

Though the house was only used for storage and was not in shape to be lived in, this mess would have to be cleaned up.  Not only was there a tree to be removed, but the wet ceiling was now on the floor and on top of tools and other things stored in that room.

First thing was to remove the sheet rock off of everything, then start moving power tools and other items that were not already destroyed.  Not pleasant, but necessary.  There was some immediate damage and there will ultimately be quite a bit of loss, but it could be worse.  

Next step was tree removal.  This was a big tree with lots of branches, not an easy task.  With most of the rafters in that room broken, being on top with a chainsaw was a little less than safe but top first was about the only way to remove it, one piece at a time.  

During this time, I was also occupied with fence building, cutting firewood and numerous other necessary activities, so this was not  a quick job.  It is also one that will continue, in one phase or another for quite some time to come.

On January 1, I began the new year by cutting up much of the top and throwing the brush and firewood off.  This was not easy, with the shaky roof and tons of small branches to trip over, but progress was made.


About a week later, I finished cutting the tree from the roof.  In the process, the main part of the tree shifted and took down the porch roof, as was expected.  With the tree gone, it is easier to see the                                                         damage.  The last picture shows how it looks inside.  If you look closely, you will notice a large tree branch hanging in what used to be ceiling joists.  It will have to come out during demolition.

A few days later, I cut up and removed the part that was on the porch roof.  Now there is only the trunk.  I will decide soon whether to try to get it sawed into planks or cut it up for firewood.

Now that the tree is off, it will be time for more inside cleanup and demolition.  This will certainly be posted in multiple parts so watch for part 2.

OFFICIALLY OFF GRID, SOONER THAN EXPECTED!!

As those of you who have been following already know, I have been slowly working toward the day when I can tell the power company to pull the meter.  The expected time frame was at some future point, due to things like the need for a few power tools, welder, air compressor and computer.

On night of November 30, the time frame dramatically accelerated.  There was a large oak tree leaning slightly away from the house and I hadn't considered it as a potential problem.  Weather patterns here in Oklahoma, however, had other ideas.  A small tornado twisted up the tree top and uprooted the tree, placing it squarely on top of the house.  In the process, it took down the power drop cable and damaged the wall where the meter was, to the point that it could not be hooked back up.  

The house was no longer livable and used mainly for storage (the back room serving as an office) prior to this event.  Roof damage was extreme, and with termite damage below, there will be no repairs, only tree removal and eventual demolition.  With these considerations, I had the power company close my account and remove the meter.

This brings me to the point of being totally off grid.  The refund on my deposit was enough to get a solar kit at Harbor Freight, which I will install on the roof of my office area.  My computer is now at my sister's house so I can have at least limited use of it until the solar is set up.

The next step after the solar setup will be the purchase of a portable welder (ASAP) so I can weld, and run the air compressor and other tools.  This damage and lack of power tools will slow progress in some ways, and there will certainly be quite a bit of loss of storage items. 

There is an up side!  Several projects and goals are greatly accelerated.  In addition to being off grid ahead of schedule, I have greater motivation to get the portable welder that has been on the list for several years.  The process of sorting and downsizing stored items is now an immediate necessity, and the eventual demolition of the old house is a much more immediate consideration.

In short, since nobody was injured, there is some serious good even in this negative event.  I will write a post on the cleanup later.