Batiks By Design

We knew it was coming . . . they told us on the weater reports that it would be a major storm . . . and we prepared . . . kind of . . . it was worse than we thought it could be.  We were hit with phase 1 of the storm on Monday night, January 26th.  The temperature was just at the freezing point and it started to rain – really rain.  I couldn’t imagine that it would have time to freeze on the trees and cars at the rate it was coming down, but it did.  We woke up to an ice wonderland and no school.  Because of pre-salting and the fact that the road surface wasn’t very cold, the roads were ok.  But we didn’t have electricity.  I know it was on at 6:30 or so that morning, but when I woke up later at around 8:30 it was out.  Here are some pictures from the first day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were able to get out that day and stocked up on kerosene and candles.  We were ok on food.  The second part of the storm was supposed to include more freezing rain that would turn into all snow.  We sat in the living room at night and just listened to the branches breaking on the trees one right after another.  It sounded horrible.  The next morning we looked out at ice and about an inch of snow and so many branches, both large and small, laying on the ground. 

We lost not only our electricity, but our water (the company didn’t have generators to pump the water), phone service, Internet, and cell phones.  We were without electric and Internet for 7 1/2 days.  The other utilities came back on before that.  I know that we have witnessed storms like this in other places and I’ve always felt horrible for the victims, but now I can sympathize.  And I know that I wasn’t as bad off as many others.  My step-son and his family were without power for 14 days and there were over 20 telephone poles that snapped within a mile or so of his home.  Lines crossed the roads and their driveway and many more trees were destroyed in their yard.  Others had trees land on their houses and cars.  Some I know have no insurance.  Thank God for the volunteers that manned warming shelters, prepared food, and offered hot showers.  We really appreciate the help that was sent from neighboring states to help with the process of fixing the electrical problems.  They left their homes and families to help.

I think I need to look for a gas powered sewing machine for the next time!  ROFL!!!