2011 was a really bad year for Australia. Cyclone hit Queensland. Storm from Antarctica caused lot of rain fall in the south east side and fires on the west side.

Key to the fast recovery was getting the insurance money to rebuild going as soon as able. Gardens in the effected areas still show sign of flood damage but that is about it.

–The problem is not the initial moves but the magnitude. Between wind, water, snow and ice, and the huge diameter of the storm, power could be out for millions for weeks.–

Months could be more correct. Due to the damage we had with smaller storms.

People are well trained and rehearsed on what to do when the next storm comes. Because there is always a next one.
And the preparations happen BEFORE always make sure that services are directed to a specific part of the island if storm goes only on one side so help can be closer once it passes.

During my first hurricane there, i thought I was going to die. By the time I went though my 4th and last major one, I knew what to expect.

Much of the eastern USA is hilly country so the same effect results: rapid runoff to the low spots makes deep water. Of course the effect is more dramatic in mountains but the effect is that many homes will be flooded perhaps to the second story. Where I live, the land is fairly flat and we have this problem during snow-melt only but our thunderstorms are just a few miles in diameter. This monster is one of the largest hurricanes ever seen so all low spots may be filled to over-flowing within the next few hours and drain to other filled low spots… The lowest of the low spots will surely flood.

I once lived in hill country when a storm deposited 6 inches of rain in one hour. The place was an instant river and every low spot became an instant lake or torrent. Imagine that kind of water spread for hundreds of miles. The depth and duration of flooding will be great.

Electrical utility workers, mostly line-men, have been called in from a dozen surrounding states. FEMA has relocated resources, including personnel. National Guard and other military which may include tradesmen have also been readied.

The problem is not the initial moves but the magnitude. Between wind, water, snow and ice, and the huge diameter of the storm, power could be out for millions for weeks. One estimate is that millions of trees could be blown down taking out thousands of power-poles and lines in cities.

Storm this size if there is not damage it will be luck.

So the USA system has no allowance for moving the vote time due to natural disaster?? If not that is highly bright of them thinking that mother nature is always going to play ball.

I hope everyone plans for their personal safety works or failure be funny and not life threatening like riding the storm safely inside a bath tub.

ssorbom remember USA power grid failure on one coast can black out the other one if power routing systems screw up. So even you guys who are not near the storm front need to check your basics for dealing with a blackout that might happen.

Yes cyclone warnings in north of Australia cause messages to go out to everyone linked to that power grid to prep for blackouts in-case everything does not go to plan.