Hey! I hope all my Emergency Friends across the mid-section and East coast will be safe and stay warm with the bad weather your having. Take care my friends!
I was awoken by a call for a vehicle vs guardrail on the Pa. Tnpk, at 6:47 AM.
I ventured out to find the front walkway covered in wet ice. I carefully made my way to the car and thought, "No, I don't think so.", seeing it was also enveloped in about 1/2 inch (13mm) of wet, cold crystalline.
I went back in and had a coffee and contemplated the day.
I fully expected that the day would be full of calls, but that was the only one. Maybe people had the good sense to stay home today.
I waited until it started to become light enough to see, and then went out and started the car, letting it warm up a bit, while I scraped. It seemed to be getting warmer out and the ice appeared to be melting.
About 8:30, the electricity died. I was sure glad to have a good kerosene heater with a full tank, in preparation for such.
The neighbor's electric line became detached from their house and was hanging down across their next-door neighbor's driveway. The wife and I were a bit nervous about the kids nonchalantly walking under it.
I called it in again, after the power came back on at around 3:40. The house is dark and they've finally shown up at 7:50. They probably had a busy day. Lotsa branches down.
I was watching The Weather Channel last night @ 12 o'clock my time and saw the mess across the nation. OIY!!!! an what a mess it was. It appears that maybe as you said people stayed home and stayed safe. Well, it is Winter for sure. Although we have had 2 weeks of sunny warm days in the 70's. Looks like another week coming of nice weather. Be careful and stay safe.
We only had 1 call early in the storm, 7 mile ride on the interstate and was UTL. Needless to say we are snowbound, several roads closed, 10-15ft drifts, which is the bad part 17in snow sucks but the 55mph wind took that white fluffy stuff and piled it up. Snowmobile rescue squad was activated and went out several times for stranded motorists. The one bright spot the power stayed on.
We've been very fortunate. Heavy ice on the roads for three days now with nonstop freezing temps. Not many runs, though. People are actually behaving themselves!
Mike I am glad you are ok. I was very concerned. We all need to remember to be extra careful during these storms - since no one is immune to its impact.