US News Storms Knock Out Power To 2M

[FireCat]

Millions of people across nine states were left without power Saturday to deal with thermostat-popping temperatures after a fierce line of thunderstorms and high winds pounded parts of the Midwest and Atlantic Seaboard.
Two people were killed in Virginia, crushed by felled trees, police said.

The storms moved east from Indiana through Ohio and into West Virginia and the nation's capital, according to utility companies. In all, nearly 4 million homes were left without power; 1 million in Virginia alone.
The aftermath of the storm was compounded Saturday by a forecast of another sweltering summer day.
Temperatures tipped the 100-degree mark Friday in St. Louis, Richmond, Nashville, Washington and Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.

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[Accname]

In the USA the power cables go above the ground right? On big power poles or not? Thats how they show it in TV.
Why not build them underground? Wouldnt it make things safer?

 

[KaerfNomekop]

"Underground power transmission has a significantly higher cost and greater operational limitations but is sometimes used in urban areas or sensitive locations."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power_transmission#Underground_transmission

 

[FireCat]

Why not build them underground?

First of all everyone's bills will increase. The lines can take even longer to repair, If they don't find/locate the damage straight away. And Just imagine the damage to underground. It would be pretty heavy..
Well, at least when the lines are above ground, you can see the damage.

 

[Wiseman_2]

We've had crazy weather in the UK lately too... today we've had 4 separate thunderstorms with distinct periods of swelteringly hot weather in between... that's the kind of weather you expect in Brazilian rainforest, not the average UK ^.^

 

[FireCat]

We've had crazy weather in the UK lately too... today we've had 4 separate thunderstorms with distinct periods of swelteringly hot weather in between... that's the kind of weather you expect in Brazilian rainforest, not the average UK ^.^

Well, It's been Crazy weather everywhere, this year! That's for sure. But it's not global warming! Just saying.