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- Oct 17, 2009
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- 1,978
Earlier in the week I was at my Dad and Step Mom's house in the Walnut Creek / Pleasant Hill area of the East bay in Northern California. We were sitting in the living room watching TV when one of those screaming alerts came on, but this time it wasn't a test and that REALLY got my attention! Right away following the alert came a report of a major power outage in the Martinez area, about 5-7 miles North, at the Valero oil refinery. When oil refineries lose power they can't just stop the process of refining so they have to vent out the flair stacks to burn off all the oil and chemicals as to not risk a build up of back pressure within the system. Just guessing but there are about 5-6 MAJOR oil refineries right in the same area as that one with Chevron being the largest by a long shot. At first the reports were that it was a temporary situation and that power would be rerouted soon. The helo view of the flair stacks showing 20ft flames blowing off solid black smoke loaded with some ethyl-methyl-bad-stuff that you sure as hell don't want to inhale. Usually there's always a decent 5-15mph westerly wind that would help to blow out the smoke, but not that night. That night there was not an ounce of wind to be had, just our luck!
As the reports went on things just got worst. When a reporter on sight was reporting, an old nuclear war style alarm started going off for the first time elevating the danger level of the situation. At that time they announced a full lock-in of all residents within the entire Contra Costa County (close all windows/doors, stay inside at all times, keep your heater and air systems off). It was at that time that I knew things could go from bad to worst REAL QUICK! I had my DAD who had just had back surgery the day before layed up in bed so moving him was a no go option. Luckily I had turned their house into a stockpile of readiness, much to their dismay at times. That was the first time they finally realized why I did what I did and the real importance of it. I had my emergency radio up and running but they never did send across any information so I stuck to the local AM and NOAA channels. I pulled out all the packs of sheet plastic and duct tape I had getting ready to seal off all windows, doors, and vents. I did seal off all the HVAC vents and intake to get started. The news came on again and after about 4 hours no power had been restored and now there's about a 40-50 flame and the smoke is MUCH blacker and thicker than before. The alarm at the refinery that had sounded once earlier now sounds on a constant basis. Luckily I had also stored some high particulate filter masks here also, but only had a MIL grade gas mask for myself. At the time I was really hoping that things wouldn't get to that level. But my family could feel the effects of the gas in the air noted by a slight light headedness and a heavier time breathing, luckily it never got any more serious than that. An hour or two after that power FINALLY was restored and things put back on track. This situation was a real good eye opener for how how something that's next to that you totally take for granted everyday can really take a turn for the worst in a hurry causing you to have to make some real quick decisions. I'm glad I was prepared and could of been had I had to been locked up for a while. But I hope this story will give all of you something to take to heart, really evaluate your readiness should something happen tonight or tomorrow... We just never know and it's ALWAYS better to be prepared than to not.
As the reports went on things just got worst. When a reporter on sight was reporting, an old nuclear war style alarm started going off for the first time elevating the danger level of the situation. At that time they announced a full lock-in of all residents within the entire Contra Costa County (close all windows/doors, stay inside at all times, keep your heater and air systems off). It was at that time that I knew things could go from bad to worst REAL QUICK! I had my DAD who had just had back surgery the day before layed up in bed so moving him was a no go option. Luckily I had turned their house into a stockpile of readiness, much to their dismay at times. That was the first time they finally realized why I did what I did and the real importance of it. I had my emergency radio up and running but they never did send across any information so I stuck to the local AM and NOAA channels. I pulled out all the packs of sheet plastic and duct tape I had getting ready to seal off all windows, doors, and vents. I did seal off all the HVAC vents and intake to get started. The news came on again and after about 4 hours no power had been restored and now there's about a 40-50 flame and the smoke is MUCH blacker and thicker than before. The alarm at the refinery that had sounded once earlier now sounds on a constant basis. Luckily I had also stored some high particulate filter masks here also, but only had a MIL grade gas mask for myself. At the time I was really hoping that things wouldn't get to that level. But my family could feel the effects of the gas in the air noted by a slight light headedness and a heavier time breathing, luckily it never got any more serious than that. An hour or two after that power FINALLY was restored and things put back on track. This situation was a real good eye opener for how how something that's next to that you totally take for granted everyday can really take a turn for the worst in a hurry causing you to have to make some real quick decisions. I'm glad I was prepared and could of been had I had to been locked up for a while. But I hope this story will give all of you something to take to heart, really evaluate your readiness should something happen tonight or tomorrow... We just never know and it's ALWAYS better to be prepared than to not.
