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Monday, February 4, 2019

I survived the Polar Vortex!

Last week was quite a week for us! I know a lot of you were dealing with similar weather. This was the storm that wouldn't end, and the extreme cold made it all the worse. When it's as cold as it was, salt doesn't work on the roads, so they were ice covered in snow, and the blowing snow made visibility terrible. Schools were closed all week, including the Universities, which is very rare. The Governor issued a state of emergency telling people to stay off the roads if possible. (lots of people didn't listen). The Postal Service didn't deliver mail for 2 days, UPS and Fed Ex were also grounded. Government buildings, like the Secretary of State were closed as were many restaurants, Dr offices and other businesses. Unfortunately, nurses don't get snow days, and often end up working extra in these situations, if other people can't get in to work. And that's what happened to me last week!
Here's a few pictures to show you what it looked like here. The first two are from the local media.

This was one of several big pile-ups that happened around us.  This one was on a highway quite near to our home.


Image may contain: one or more people
Here's a shot of the local weather prediction for Wednesday. These are wind chill temps.  The lowest actual temp I saw was minus 9.

This is the road the connect to our road.  It's a fairly busy, paved street, but you wouldn't know it here.


Yes, there are trees out there!
You can see why driving in this was terrible.


 Sorry about the screen in this shot.  This is looking out the window at work.



Here's another work shot.  Our patio is filled with snow!


 Bob stayed very busy snow blowing and shoveling snow.  This is our front walk.



This is in the back yard, where Bob keeps a path clear to his work shop.  Considering that we had little to no snow on the ground when this started, you can see how things changed in 5 days!

I'm so thankful for safety in traveling for so many of us, and for warm homes to return to.
Now we are having an extreme change in weather, with temps much higher than normal.  All this snow will be melting which could cause some flooding.  We'll see what happens.

10 comments:

peppylady (Dora) said...

I believe it west coast turn for a bit of cold. This morning it was 16
Coffee is on

Hootin Anni said...

I was thinking of you, your family, & so many of the bloggers in your area. It's just amazing. Scary too for all the 'what ifs'. Glad you are all safe.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

I dont even know what to say about that much snow except am thankful you are ok. I dont know how you drive in it to get to work and back. Nurses dont have choices in whether to work or not for sure. Warmer temps are good, but the melting and flooding isnt so good. Just be safe and warm til it all passes.

Arlene G said...

That is why we stay home here when it snows, Mari. We have no snow removal equipment. Fortunately ours usually just lasts a few days. That Bitter Cold is so hard though....glad you all stayed safe in the storm.

Jean said...

Oh Mari!!! You had it so much worse than we did! I think our schools and Penn State were closed just Wednesday and Thursday. As to how the roads were, I did not have to worry because I lived at my work (Anthony's) and did not have to drive. There were some 40 and 50 car pile-ups on Wednesday due to white-outs.

Did you have to sleep at work any night?

The weather this week is so very welcome, but we don't have a paved driveway, so it's turning into mud right now. Ugh!

Changes in the wind said...

WOW!! I am so glad you were able to stay safe during all that and that your hubby was in good health to be able to make the paths.

Kerin said...

I'm so sorry that you had all that terrible weather. Glad that you survived and are safe and sound.
Hopefully, that snow melting won't cause too many problems.

Stay safe.
~K.

Dianna said...

My goodness, my friend! That is a lot of snow. It is a shame that nurses don't get snow days because you could certainly have used some in weather like that. Glad that you had a safe trip back and forth to work.

Terri D said...

Oh my, Mari. Please stay safe up there!! I can't even imagine driving in conditions like that anymore after 30 years in Florida. And God bless all of you nurses for all you do, including double and triple shifts!

Sandi said...

The top photo looks like a warzone...Santa attacked!

The fourth from the bottom looks like frosting on a cupcake! :)