Thoughts About This “Snow-Mageddon”

It all started for us this past Thursday after listening to weather reports about the upcoming weather event. Our plan initially was to head to our daughter’s in Minden Friday morning before the storm hit; they have generators and there should be no problems there.

My small generator, that had sat without being run for several months was dead as a doornail so it seemed the logical thing would be to head somewhere that would have power.

Daughter, Melissa and her husband Ross exhibited wisdom that superseded mine. With forecasts of the severity of the upcoming storm, leaving our house would invite possible water lines freezing and breaking with resultant damage so Ross came up with an alternate idea. He has an extra generator that is capable of running most of our appliances, lights and heaters and he wanted to bring it and set it up for us.

Thursday afternoon, he brought the big generator, got is set up and it was ready to go if we needed it. Our hope and prayer was that our home would not lose power so the device wouldn’t be needed.

Friday afternoon, the weather system the forecasters had predicted began moving into our area. As night fell, so did the heavy sleet which continued through the night and all day Saturday, finally ending early Sunday morning.

On Saturday afternoon, our lights blinked and went off for a few seconds and we began formulating plans to crank up our borrowed generator. Thankfully, the lights came back on and as of Tuesday morning, we have not lost power again.

Having stocked up on groceries, water and other supplies before the storm hit, we have been able to stay comfortable in our warm house with plenty to eat.

When the falling frozen stuff finally ended, we measured a full 6 inches of almost pure sleet. Just a few miles in every direction, we learned that whereas we had sleet, others were hearing limbs breaking, power lines coming down and loss of power because instead of sleet, they were getting freezing rain.

The difference is that sleet consists of small ice pellets that do not cling to tree branches and power lines. Thus, our towering pines have remained upright with not a single branch falling while freezing rain created havoc for others.

Another thought; had we decided to head for shelter in Minden, we’d likely be there for awhile since getting back home would be virtually impossible for who knows how long. As much as our daughter loves her mom and me, having visitors and their dog for an indeterminate length of time could understandably begin to wear a bit thin.

All I have to do is look on Facebook to know we made the right decision to stay put when I see the long string of 18 wheelers and cars stuck on the interstate that have had to endure temperatures in the teens with no chance of getting to move for quite awhile.

Thanks to Ross and Melissa for suggesting we stay put rather than risk what those unfortunate folks stuck on I-20 are having to endure. And thanks to God that for whatever reason, we have been spared the misfortune that others are having to endure.