Ice, ice, baby!

[uforgot]

Anyone else iced in and not going anywhere? School's canceled, but I need to write an AP Calculus audit today anyway. Doesn't that sound like fun? I will take a long bubble bath first.

I hope no one has to travel in this mess! Be careful out there.

Edit: I DO have a mountain bike. I think I'll give it a shot. I think I heard a total of 1 car/truck go by.

[tulip]

Anyone else iced in and not going anywhere? School's canceled, but I need to write an AP Calculus audit today anyway. Doesn't that sound like fun? I will take a long bubble bath first.

I hope no one has to travel in this mess! Be careful out there.

Edit: I DO have a mountain bike. I think I'll give it a shot. I think I heard a total of 1 car/truck go by.

If you had studded tires, you'd be all set. It's so quiet because no one is out.

[Aggie_Ama]

We are supposed to get sleet which means everyone will loose their heads in Texas. Right now just cold and grey though. I can't wait to get home to the furbabies.

[GLC1968]

It was snowing like a mofo this morning in our neck of the woods. I haven't looked outside for a few hours and I'm hoping it's turned into the traditional rain by now. ;)

Listening to the radio on my drive in, they were talking about what memories the song "Ice, Ice Baby" (or whatever it's officially called) brought to mind when you heard it. Funny coincidence that I open up TE and that's the first post I see, huh?

[Tri Girl]

I'm iced in today. Woo hoo (well, not really). I'd rather be able to go outside and enjoy it, but I never turn down a day off from school. I have a whole stack of papers to grade, but I'm sitting here on the computer. I don't know who procrastinates work more: me or the 5th graders I teach. :rolleyes:
I don't like the ice- it made my 30 min. commute 1.5 hours yesterday- but sometimes ANY precipitation is better than none when it's been as dry as its been lately.
I don't know if I'll go for a ride outside, but I'm considering heading out for a very short run with my new Yak Trax. I can't wait to try them out.
Stay safe and warm, everyone. :)

[Pyannyplayer]

Seeing as I'm a hop, skip, and a jump away from Claudia, I'm iced in as well. I cancelled classes today not only because I would be slip-slidin' everywhere to get there, but all of our department stayed home today. It took me 20 minutes to drive my normal 5 minutes home last night. :eek: Nope, not venturing out.

It's been a fun day - no school work to do! (got it done yesterday before I left!!!) My boys and I have been playing on the Wii most of the day; we have a game called "Outdoor Adventures" that's pretty fun. Nothing quite like hearing two teenagers laughing and having a great time with their mom....just don't tell their friends. :rolleyes:

I believe it's time to play again! Everyone please stay warm and safe.

Lorie

[Tuckervill]

We've had a power outage and half a pecan tree fall in the yard. It destroyed the trampoline, but my 15 yo is not too broken up about it. He knows we're putting in a pool in the spring. At least I don't have to worry about the yahoos jumping off the tramp into the pool now!

Our power company is owned by the city so they were right on the problem and got the power on after only about 2 hours.

I walked about 2 miles to Wal-Mart to get a globe for the Coleman lantern, in case we spend a night in the cold and dark. We have a kerosene heater that did a pretty good job for those two hours. I'm not worried about freezing to death.

We'll have lots and lots of firewood again, and no place to burn it!

Hope everyone else is safe!
Karen

[indigoiis]

I'm thinking of stopping by Cumby's on the way home for bread and milk, but then, I don't have any way to carry it.

[Selkie]

Snow today, freezing rain tonight, rain by noon tomorrow. Then probably refreezing into a solid mess of dirty "snice" that will take weeks to melt!

[fastdogs]

north of Claudia, near St. Louis. It's been sort of sleeting all day, now it looks like a fine snow. Not looking forward to the drive home! My commute normally takes 1.25-1.5 hours on a good day, it was longer than that this morning. I did come in later than normal, waiting for daylight before setting out. We were all hoping for the site to close for the day, but no luck.
My bikes are hanging up, I need to clean them since it's been a little while and the mountain bike has been out on the trails a couple of times last week.
vickie

[uforgot]

Seeing as I'm a hop, skip, and a jump away from Claudia, I'm iced in as well. I cancelled classes today not only because I would be slip-slidin' everywhere to get there, but all of our department stayed home today. It took me 20 minutes to drive my normal 5 minutes home last night. :eek: Nope, not venturing out.

It's been a fun day - no school work to do! (got it done yesterday before I left!!!) My boys and I have been playing on the Wii most of the day; we have a game called "Outdoor Adventures" that's pretty fun. Nothing quite like hearing two teenagers laughing and having a great time with their mom....just don't tell their friends. :rolleyes:

I believe it's time to play again! Everyone please stay warm and safe.

Lorie

Hi Lorie! I think I'm more of a hop, skip and sliiiiiiiiiiiiide from you today. That I-44 corridor looks pretty bad on radar. Fortunately, we don't have ice on the trees. It's more of an ice ball "bounce" thing and I hope it stays that way. According to weather.com, it's going to continue until tomorrow. yeesh! As long as the rain stays away and we don't lose power like we did a couple of years ago.

I remember when my kids were in school and we completely finished Donkey Kong Country during a couple of snow days. I really enjoyed those times and even took their picture next to the final screen. Wish they were here with a wii today. Instead, I'm doing their taxes.

Enjoy the wii!

[uforgot]

north of Claudia, near St. Louis. It's been sort of sleeting all day, now it looks like a fine snow. Not looking forward to the drive home! My commute normally takes 1.25-1.5 hours on a good day, it was longer than that this morning. I did come in later than normal, waiting for daylight before setting out. We were all hoping for the site to close for the day, but no luck.
My bikes are hanging up, I need to clean them since it's been a little while and the mountain bike has been out on the trails a couple of times last week.
vickie

You be careful! Do you go down 30 or I-44? This cold/snow/sleet weather HAS to end soon. I'm pumped to go down zombie road.

Let us know how the drive home goes.

[keepclimbing]

I didn't ride today:( Way too much snow and ice for my bike. But probably better here than down in Belle and Rolla. I was driving in from Jefferson City last night. It was fine until I hit Wentzville and then 70 turned into a big mess.

But tomorrow is going to be better and the weekend is looking downright warm again!

[OakLeaf]

Makbike hasn't been posting much lately, but anyone know if she's okay? Western Kentucky got hit pretty hard too.

You Missouri/Arkansas ladies be careful.

[Crankin]

Well, the mess you guys had yesterday is now in New England. It's snowing, but is supposed to end up in sleety rain, maybe ice north of here. I live just on the edge of the area that might get ice. Thankfully, I don't have classes today, because Lesley University is the only one in greater Boston that didn't cancel classes! I think, probably because the Cambridge schools are open and they follow their lead.
I hope the rain/ice doesn't ruin the snow because I am planning to x country ski on Friday and Saturday.
Stay warm, everyone.

[Aggie_Ama]

UGH!! They didn't close schools and DH made it in okay so I thought it would be fine. But the roads I take had several ice spots and it was a stressful drive in. My car is front wheel drive and I shock myself by being a very capable driver on icy roads. Made it to work tired but in one piece. Saw two trucks (the pickup kind) fishtail and spin in front of me. A car in a ditch with a perplexed tow truck driver trying to figure out how to remove it. About 6 smaller town fire trucks running to and fro. A five car pile up that shut down the entrance to the toll road, probably for the best since it would be icy anyway. Another minor fender bender and one nasty multi car pile up for good measure before getting safely to the office. It should warm up and thaw before the afternoon.

Lesson learned, if the schools immediately west are delayed I am working from home. Too RISKY! Stay safe out there ladies.

[sfa]

We didn't get much of the mess here in Maryland--just a couple of inches of snow, then a layer of ice on top of that overnight. Enough to close the schools today but not to close work, unfortunately! My poor dog fell down the stairs this morning when he went out for his morning romp. He scrambled/slid/fell down the stairs, regained his feet at the bottom but couldn't get any traction on the ground to let him move around so I had to go out in my bathrobe and socks and help him back in. Poor little guy--he was so confused!

Sarah

[Tuckervill]

My power has been out since yesterday morning, all the trees in my back yard are decimated, a tree pierced my neighbor's roof, one pierced my son's trampoline, and I don't expect to get a shower before Friday. :(

blah. Here's a picture of my back yard. That's the trampoline under there...somewhere...

[Mr. Bloom]

11 inches to 13 inches over night. I hate snow.

But, on Facebook, I sent a joking message to a riding buddy:



Me: Today at 5:28am
Wanna go for a ride? I'm guessing traffic will be lighter than usual...

Friend's Response: Today at 6:50am
Ha! Strangely enough, I saw some bike tracks in the snow by my office. They were followed by a big patch of mashed down snow that resembled a human on a bicycle...

:D:D:D

[Tuckervill]

LOL!

I get excited when I see a bucket truck. They climbed the pole outside my house last night at about 8:15 and at 8:36 the power came on. I keep reaching for the light switches and pulling my hand back, reminding myself that it won't work! But then, it does! It's amazing how quickly you can condition yourself one way or another.

And it was WARM in bed last night! One blanket! yippee!

Karen

[Selkie]

UGH!! .... But the roads I take had several ice spots and it was a stressful drive in. My car is front wheel drive and I shock myself by being a very capable driver on icy roads.

On ice, it doesn't matter if you have AWD, FWD, 4 wheel drive. Nothing -- except maybe chains on your tires -- will help.

[uforgot]

LOL!

I get excited when I see a bucket truck. They climbed the pole outside my house last night at about 8:15 and at 8:36 the power came on. I keep reaching for the light switches and pulling my hand back, reminding myself that it won't work! But then, it does! It's amazing how quickly you can condition yourself one way or another.

And it was WARM in bed last night! One blanket! yippee!

Karen

So glad you have your power back! Lights, heat and hot water. Amazing what you take for granted, isn't it? So now it's just limb cleanup?

[sundial]

Our power went out on Monday and just got power back on yesterday. Our region took a really hard hit. Utility companies estimate it will be 5 weeks before all power is restored. I think about 300,000 people are without power just in our region alone.

I learned a couple things whilst sitting in the dark:

A winter Buff is worth it's weight in gold.
French press--every household should have one!
You can never have too many Coleman battery operated lanterns.
Shamwow does a good job pulling water out of hand washed clothes. ;)
A radio that plays the local TV station is fun to listen to.
A large insulated carafe filled with hot water is a blessing in disguise.
Coleman cookstoves are mighty handy if you don't have a gas BBQ grill.

[makbike]

Oakleaf,

Thanks for checking on me. I'm okay but many in Kentucky are without power and water. I'm one of the few lucky ones at the moment. My little town looks like a war zone as does my yard. Lots of trees/limbs down. I lost power on Wednesday for about 8 hours but once restored it has stayed on, thank goodness. Sadly, those who live directly across the street from me have been without power for 2 days now - looks like all have departed for warmer places.

The clean up will begin in earnest in the next day or so in my yard. I fear my big white pine is a lose. My old car is buried under large branches and the the back yard is a mess. If nothing else I'll get a good work out as I pull and haul branches and debris. We have not been in school all week and I wonder if we will return on Monday for I know many teachers/staff/students are still without power and may be for another week.

For now I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the beauty outside.

[Aggie_Ama]

On ice, it doesn't matter if you have AWD, FWD, 4 wheel drive. Nothing -- except maybe chains on your tires -- will help.

All we get here are patches so front wheel is better when accelerating. Same thing in wet weather IMO. I own both and am much more comfortable in the front wheel drive than rear wheel drive on wet roads. I have spun a rear wheel drive car completely around and it scared the crap out of me. Most wrecks I saw were trucks. It is 70 today. :)

[Selkie]

All we get here are patches so front wheel is better when accelerating. Same thing in wet weather IMO. I own both and am much more comfortable in the front wheel drive than rear wheel drive on wet roads. I have spun a rear wheel drive car completely around and it scared the crap out of me. Most wrecks I saw were trucks. It is 70 today. :)

I must have misunderstood. I thought you were talking about icy roads, not wet roads.

An ice patch is easy to avoid, which is lucky for you. As I said, there nothing, except tire chains or maybe true snow tires w/studs like we used in Western Penna, that work on ice.

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh no, I meant ice but patches and some wet. Texas is almost like a grab bag. The people around here are stoopid too. That morning I am accelerating slowly on bridges, they in big trucks accelerate fast and proceed to show everyone behind them "Hey there is some ice here". I just find front wheel drive when accelerated slowly will manuever over ice better than rear wheel drive. Still rather stay home. I don't think we can get chains in Texas. :p

[skhill]

Here in Lexington KY it's a beautifully warm day. Go on my bike for the first time in a week (just to go the mile to church) and it felt great-- even tho I was dodging icy patches.

This afternoon I undertook to shovel out the sidewalks at my church. They're encrusted with more than 2 inches of ice, and this one warm day wouldn't be enought to get rid of everything, before more comes this week. So there I was, in my heavy winter boots, and shorts and a t-shirt, chipping ice... I think I've got a sunburn now-- from shoveling snow!!!

[Geonz]

Glad folks are digging out! We were completely spared Tuesday (when the forecast said 3-5 inches - which they got 20 miles to the south) but got our 5 inches Tuesday night (when the forecast said "flurries"), so I took the bus in and went 35 hours without getting on a bicycle for the first time in a long time! My studded tires would have gotten me there... but cars were going all over the place.
The poor backyard :(
Snork... Bruce Springsteen makes me glad to be an American...

[sundial]

Makbike, I was worried about you and the other TE'ers hit by this storm. Are you staying warm? Are you able to get to work? Do you have enough food and fuel?

I lost power not long after my last post so we were back in the dark. Finally snagged a little generator yesterday, just as the lights came back one. :) Fortunately for us, we have a gas stove so I can make a hot meal and boil water. The generator will keep our frige, tv, computer going and our cell phones charged.

This is a terrible, terrible storm and FEMA has yet to respond in our state even though it's been declared a disaster by the president. The national guard was called out but they didn't even have access to chain saws. Out of state utility trucks are still coming into the region to assist. I think we had 7800 utility poles down just in our region.

There are so many people trapped in their homes from the fallen debris. These people don't have food, water, or heat to survive the temps that are in the 20's. Please continue to pray for the victims. It's going to take a long time to recover from this. :(

[makbike]

Sundial,

I'm doing well. Power was restored late yesterday afternoon (lost it for about 24 hours). I had a warm place to stay during the outage. We did not have school at all last week but headed back today on a 2 hour delay. Looks like we will get a light snow early tomorrow and then a warm up is in the works. The rural areas have been hit the hardest here in Kentucky and the utility companies are working long hours to get power restored. Lots of out of state utility trucks are visible. We are very blessed.

Thanks again for checking on me - all is well in Shelbyville.

[sundial]

Thank goodness you are alright! I believe KY got hit the hardest. :(

I am incensed over the lack of response by FEMA. People are dying. Staples such as batteries, heating fuels, lanterns, fuel storage containers are extremely limited, if available. It will be mid February before power is restored to many. In Arkansas 130,000 people are without electricity. Utility workers traveling from the gulf coast to Arkansas have stated the damage is equal to that of Hurricane Katrina. In the meantime, people are sick from the exposure. I am battling a bad chest cold myself. 1000 national guardsmen were brought in and they didn't even have access to chainsaws to free people trapped inside their homes from downed trees and limbs. I'm becoming angrier by the day as I see how people have to suffer needlessly. :mad: :mad:

[Geonz]

That's appalling.... blog it!

[sundial]

From Newsmax:


Obama signed federal emergency declarations last week for Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri after ice and snow blamed for more than 40 deaths in nine states and for power outages that peaked at 1.3 million customers from the Southern Plains to the East Coast.

And:


Kentucky had the most power outages last week, a state record of 700,000 customers. By Sunday night, the figure had dropped to less than half that. Still, it could be weeks before some people have power again.

"It's going to be a long haul for us," Beshear said Sunday as he toured hard-hit areas in and around Elizabethtown. "We've thrown everything we have at it. We're going to continue to do that until everyone is back in their homes and back on their feet."

In Arkansas, many residents in the northern part of the state will spend another week without electricity as utility crews work to replace thousands of poles and eventually work house to house to restore power.

About 114,000 Arkansas customers were without service Monday morning, a week after freezing rain started to fall. A peak of about 350,000 homes and businesses had no electricity after the storm.

http://www.newsmax.com/us/winter_storm/2009/02/02/177531.html

The Federal gov't is not responding to our needs, I can assure you.

[skhill]

What I find the most appalling: the multitude of water systems that shut down due to the power outages. Thousands of people were without potable water (and with no electricity, boiling water to make it safe is a big problem) and there were towns with no water pressure at all. There were fire fighters trying to put out burning buildings with water pumped from creeks, because the hydrants were dry... Thankfully, it sounds like most of the water systems are back up, at least here in central KY-- don't know about in the western areas. But why why why were there not generators either on site, or very near by? Why no backups?

Appalling thing no. 2: cities and counties that lost internet, land-line phones, and cell phones, and were in contact with the outside world only by ham radio. There were places that couldn't report in to the state emergency agencies for more than a day-- and they're the places that undoubtedly needed the most help, and needed it fast. But they couldn't get the word out that they were in desperate need...

This emergency is not over; people are cold and hungry and thirsty; people are dying. And the rest of the country doesn't seem to even know or care. Did we learn nothing from Katrina?

--Sharon

[sundial]

As of Sunday, our town has at least 3000 people without power, 7000 in our energy service area. State parks in the northern part of the state are shut down due to fallen tree limbs. It looks like bombs were dropped on us. People are still cutting their way out of their roads and homes.

I had to put up my mtb this winter. I don't know when I'll get to ride my trails again. :(

[Tuckervill]

You'll get back to it, dear. I can't believe there's still 3000 without power! That's how many total where without power in my hometown. Everyone's back on, now. It still does look like a tornado went through at treetop level, though. The city has been unable to pick up even half the limbs that are piled up everywhere.

Today I got a note from my neighbor saying that it was okay that we piled limbs on her yard in the back, but that the city took out one of her lilac bushes when they picked them up. Problem is, we didn't do it! We've been putting all our logs in the woodpile, and the rest are piled up on our lot. I'll go get her a new lilac though, just in case.

Karen

[sundial]

Tuck, how long were you without power? Any storm damage from the winds that blew through a couple days ago? Any tornados over there?

[Tuckervill]

We were dark for about 52 hours. The tornadoes didn't come near, and our loose limbs fell last week when there was wind and no storm.

I don't want to go through that again.

Karen

[sundial]

Yeah, no kidding! We finally found a little generator and by the time we got it home the power had been restored. :rolleyes: Still planning on a mother of all generators--one that hooks up to our natural gas line. :cool:

Our county lost restored poles to the dumb high winds that came through. :mad: Two steps forward, one step back.