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Comment by TallGuyShort | Hacker News Reader

Do you have better suggestions? (Not being a troll - you make a fair point and I'm genuinely interested to hear what you have to say if you would have done it differently)

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No, I don't. But I think this shows a lack of understanding on the part of the data centers. Datagram said they'd tested their generators prior to the storm, but apparently they were unaware that the electrical switchgear was located in an area that would readily flood. During a flood, what good is a generator if the electrical equipment can't be used? Would a possible solution be to have the generator output run directly to the datacenter, and to have the ability to isolate it from the building ("mains") power?

Also, see my sibling response to Pyrodogg - it was kind of a joint response to both :)

Shouldn't it be possible to make the fuel pump and it's power supply a closed, water proof system? Such that the fuel tank could be flooded and the pump would still run?

Probably a good idea, but I can't help but think what other weakness that system might turn out to have in the next disaster. I don't know if it's just me, but I was definitely very surprised by the degree of flooding - I would have expected debris, structural damage and power outages, but even as a former New Yorker, I was surprised it all happened.

To reply to mjwalshe ... who from the looks of it is hellbanned:

  > Submesible pumps or rig a block and tackle out of a window and haul jerry cans up that way safer thna carying open buckets by hand.

Diesel fuel can only be ignited by a high power flame (such as from a propane torch), and will not simply ignite due to sparks. Diesel fuel is amazingly safe to handle, much like fryer grease is safe to handle.

True but a slipping on spilled diesel and falling down a flight of stairs is one danger still think rigging block an tackle would be much more efficient.

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