reply to post by FlyersFan
I had a somewhat similar experience last eve (around 9:00pm EDT). (I've also lived in a haunted house, heard voices in the dead of night on many
occasions, similar to your description, but that's another story. Suffice it say I hear ya, strange things do happen).
Anyway, in my area (mid-Hudson valley) the storm never really picked up, so after waiting all day I went on the local village and country roads to do
some '___' -- that's Long Slow Distance, for you runners out there, no drugs involved except naturally produced endorphins!
Later, I was warming down, I noted the absence of wind, and light drizzle, thinking "this is quite a bit less than we were to expect, from the
earlier weather reports...looks like no problem here." Suddenly I noticed a streetlight just ahead shutting off suddenly. I wondered a random flash
from my flashlight (an intense multi-LED beam) might have triggered its daylight sensor.
Then I noticed houses and business on the blocks ahead going dark, one by one. Then there was a bright pink flash in the sky followed a few seconds
later by a muffled boom, and then the whole village was dark, except for a couple of businesses with backup power. All this happened in the space of
ten seconds or so.
RIght after the flash the powerlines overhead made a thrashing noise, similar to the whipping sound in a taught cable that's been struck with a
hammer. Spooked, I crossed the street, away from the power lines. Still jogging, about fifteen seconds later there was another pink flash, a boom and
that odd sound from the power lines -- and the power came back on.
I found all this odd since we'd had very little rain, moderate winds and only a few high gusts...And this was just at a moment when the calm -- no
perceptible wind -- was quite unhurricane-like.
Anyway within a few minutes the wind picked up considerably (though not dangerously), the clouds parted and the full moon was visible. The air was
noticeably drier, for a few minutes at least. I don't know what it means but it all seemed strange at the time.
Of course with all the damage to power grids elsewhere region, that there would be a local power surge, even without any obvious stress, is not hard
to understand.