So, yesterday, Todd and I got home from work and began to get ready to go to the gym to work out. Just as we were leaving, we noticed the bathroom vanity lights getting brighter and brighter, then dim. I turned them off thinking the electric company was doing something. As we walked out of the house the surge protector on our new TV, DVD, Satelite dish popped and the wall was making all sorts of popping noises. Pretty scary. Todd unplugged the surge protector, it was black on the prongs. Then we heard a big popping noise coming from the bedroom--ran to the bedroom and the surge protector in there had exploded, smoke was everywhere. I thought maybe our house was possessed!! I ran next door to see if Tracy was having problems and she was having the same thing happening throughout her house, too. Luckily, her husband is a heating/ac guy and she had called him and told him what was happening. He told us to turn off the main disconnect to our electric box. As more neighbors assembled outside, we told everyone to turn off their electricity and FAST! We called the electric company and they said they were sending someone out to check it out. In the meantime, Tracy noticed the electric transformer located across the street between two houses was elevated on one side about 8 inches. Tracy said she had heard a crash, screeching breaks and laughing earlier in the morning. She looked out of the window and saw a pick up truck drive away, but did not know it had hit the transformer.
Meanwhile, the police arrived about the same time as our other next door neighbor's "nanny" (I really do use the term "nanny" loosely.). I tell her and her "boss" to get their electricity off. A few moments later the "nanny" confessed to hitting the transformer earlier in the day, but thought nothing of it. Now, I have to say, I know this "nanny" and she is NOT playing with a full deck--if you know what I mean.
Luckily, all the damage we sustained were two surge protectors and electrical outlets which Tracy's husband, John replaced f or us this morning. Tracy and John had very little damage as well. However, Steve Ward, across the street and down one has considerable damage to appliances and his home office computers. "Uncle Bob" Bingham, one more door down, lost 2 out of 3 TV's and is still looking for more damage.
Had Todd and I been 2 minutes quicker, we would have been at the gym and probably sustained considerable damage, if not an outright fire!
This is the transformer that had to be replaced.
We had the whole crew from the electric company on the job for 2 1/2 hours--there were 5 of them at one time--we are so thankful for their speedy service and good nature. All is well!!
I am especially proud of two of the girls on the team-they are FRESHMEN that I teach and boy can they play ball! I have taught and currently teach most of the girls on the team. Go DEVILS!
Nothing like a little side-yard hoops! It was really cold that night, but who knew?
