Hurricane Sandy's Aftermath at Woodloch | Woodloch Resort

~Shared by T. Compton

Power should be restored at Woodloch Pines by early afternoon on Tuesday

Woodloch’s experience with Hurricane Sandy pales in comparison to the devastation that others along the East Coast have experienced. While guests, staff, and owners alike feel fortunate to have been spared the full wrath of this storm, all of our thoughts and prayers are with those that may have lost their homes, possessions, or worse. Since the storm has not yet passed fully, we all hope that everyone is taking all precautions necessary to keep friends and loved ones safe.

Sandy’s hurricane force winds and rain toppled several trees on Route 590 Monday evening, taking out power to the Poconos Resort along with thousands of surrounding PPL customers. As of 8:03 a.m., Pennsylvania Power and Light’s (PPL’s) website was reporting 13,161 customers in the dark in Pike County with another 19,054 people without power in neighboring Wayne County.

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“Woodloch survived the storm,” said resort owner and CEO John Kiesendahl.

“Our team of maintenance, landscaping, safety services, and front desk were on 24 hours,” he said. Answering questions and relieving any guest anxieties over the behemoth storm, staff members were also on hand to quickly deal with downed trees on the property.
“We woke up to diminished winds, a break in the clouds, and a lot of happy guests,” he said Tuesday morning.

Operating on backup generators, the resort offers auxiliary or emergency lighting in all of its main buildings, maintains hot water for showers, flushable toilets, and offers glowsticks and flashlights to guests to help light their rooms.
Full power is available at Woodloch Pines in several areas, including the main dining room and kitchen where Woodloch’s bountiful meals are prepared and served.
That strong commitment to hospitality carries over in every deparment at Woodloch as is seen by the Social Staff who continue to offer fun-filled activities during the storm-induced blackout.

“We’re going to do everything we can to keep it as close to normal as possible,” says Social Supervisor Bob Filarsky. That said, bocce ball, arts and crafts, Zumba Gold, the Woodloch Forest, and a full slate of activities line the agenda. Although bumper cars and the shooting barn rely on electricity, the fun continues with various contests, trivia games, and the possibility of Woodloch’s gas-powered go-karts hitting the track by late afternoon.

“We’re happy to say everybody came through the storm okay,” John Kiesendahl said.

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