Snow bound
The weather experts were telling us that we might expect snow flurries on Tuesday morning, maybe even a "dusting" of snow. But absolutely, positively, 100% certain--NO TRAVEL PROBLEMS! Untruer words were never spoken.
At around 9:00 yesterday morning, it started snowing, lightly. Then it got a little harder, and a little harder still. In no time, rooftops were white in the neighborhood. OK, thought I, there's the dusting. The snow will stop now. It didn't.
In just a little while, the street started turning white. I turned on local tv. W were now under a winter storm warning. The phone rang. It was my daughter Andy at her work, some 15-20 miles from her home. She was a gnat's hair from panic mode, saying that they weren't going to get to leave until noon. By now the street in front of The Yellow House was almost covered. I told Andy to call me back before she leaves.
In about 30 minutes, she called me back. She was leaving. By then, the streets and roadways were getting slick and drivers were being warned to travel with caution. Andy was going to be traveling with caution but without a cell phone, which she had forgot at home. My anxiety level soared.
Andy said she would call me as soon as she got home, but I should give her at least two hours. If I didn't hear from her in that amount of time, I should come looking for her.
As I waited for that phone call, I prayed. I got on Facebook and asked friends to pray. It soon became apparent that if I did not hear from her, I would not be able to drive my car to go and look for her. Maybe Jesse, in his 4-wheel-drive truck could get out. In a while, Jesse got up. He had worked the night before and was late getting up. I quickly apprised him of the situation, vis-a-vis his mama. He didn't seem worried; I was petrified.
A little less than two hours after she had left word, Andy called. She had made it to the Chevron station about three miles from my house, and that was it. Apparently, the prayers worked. Although she was terrified the entire trip, driving on ice, fish tailing from time to time, unable to see where traffic lanes began and ended, slipping off the pavement a couple of times, she made it.
From the Chevron, there are two routes to get into Leeds: up a hill and into downtown (which was not an option as it was covered in ice) and down Rex Lake Road and directly to my house. It too was covered with ice, and no one was able to go that way.
Jesse decided he should try to make it to the Chevron in his truck. He quickly learned that was not possible, due not only to the ice, but also to cars and trucks blocking the roads. The only other option was his dune buggy. I gathered up several coats and gloves for Andy while Jesse dressed warmly, told him to be careful, and watched him putt away in that little more than a lawn mower. The temperature by then was 19 degrees.
They made it back to my house in less than an hour. They had had no trouble, except for being very very cold. And this is where we've all been ever since.
The snow stopped before dark yesterday. The temperature dropped to 9 last night. It's now back up to the high teens. Very little thawing is expected until tomorrow afternoon when the mercury will finally climb above freezing. People are stranded all over Birmingham and surrounding area--in cars, trucks, restaurants, churches, businesses, etc. Thousands of children were stranded at school, parents unable to get to them. The governor has declared a state of emergency and called out the National Guard.
Aside from tornadoes, which affect limited areas, I cannot remember this area of Alabama ever having such a crisis in my lifetime. Fortunately, only about five people have so far lost their lives, and those in traffic accidents at the begging of the storm.
I have friends who spent the night in their cars on the interstate and in parking lots, friends who spent the night at their places of work and are still there, some who are still separated from their children. My niece spent nine hours in her car, traveling five miles from her work to her apartment. Her husband spent the day walking at least 10 miles to get to their son at his school, get him to a friend's house, and then walking on a few more miles to my niece to help her get home. He is now officially our family hero.
Thousands of people (maybe millions) are thanking God today for warmth, family, friends, safety, and home. Many are still waiting to get home, and we pray for them.
Birmingham, the Magic City, in the snow
Interstate Parking Lot
Andy's car is somewhere in this mess, in the parking lot of the Chevron station.
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On 01/29/2014, Sandy said ...
Oh my goodness. It was bad here in SC too Susan but not that bad. I'm wondering just where that "global warming" thing is!!! It certainly hasn't been here in the South this winter. Single digit lows and highs in the teens have been way too common around here and I am so ready for Spring. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've EVER been so ready. So happy all of your loved ones are safe and warm. Fortunately we haven't lost power so I'm in my sunroom working on a string quilt and having a great time. Praying for all involved that they will soon be home and warm and reunited with family.
On 01/29/2014, Barbara Anne said ...
Goodness me! Cheers for Jesse's bravery and dune buggy so Andy is safely at your house, more cheers for your neice's hubby who got his family safely home, and still more cheers for those who have opened their homes and businesses to shelter more of the stranded folks!
Snow started falling here yesterday during the late afternoon and by this morning, instead of the 1"-3" forecast, we had 4"-5" on the ground. Needless to say, we're staying home because why go looking for trouble? No thawing today here either.
Methinks "global warming" is a misleading term and more easily understood and clearing happening everywhere is "global climate change". The South got snow when I was a child in Memphis and had family in Richmond and school was closed so we stayed home. I realize many Moms are at work theses days and school closings are a whole other problem for all of them.
Enjoy the impromptu house party, the warming foods, hot chocolate, and all that makes snow days fun.
Hugs!
On 01/29/2014, Joanne said ...
I'm so glad Andy and Jesse made it home safely. Also Buffy, Reed and Phil. I just got back from the convenience store--waited until most of the ice was off the streets between here and there. About three o'clock, it's all supposed to freeze over again. Thank goodness for the great sunshine today.
On 01/29/2014, val said ...
It actually shut our little town here in DAlton ga. down! 2 days in the house. So glad your loved ones are safe and warm.
On 01/29/2014, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...
I'm glad everyone is home and safe now. I do understand. We have the same conditions down here in NW Florida. Most of ours was sleet and freezing rain. The whole area is shut down for the most part. Hopefully, we'll thaw out tomorrow and this will be our tale of woe for 2014.
On 01/29/2014, Bonnie said ...
Glad to hear everyone is remarkably safe--the stories on the national news were unbelievable.
Who's asleep at the switch in your state government? As a Minnesotan, I can tell you that they'd better sit up and pay attention, or get out. Snow and ice are so serious, we've been uber cold for weeks.
On 01/30/2014, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...
Having grown up in Kansas where the weather changes hourly..we know that a little snow could mean a lot. It is a surprise to me how this snow affected the folks in the south. Then I realized maybe you do not have truck out preparing the roads, as we do. Our truck start the salt and sand before the snow hits the ground which helps with the ice. Seldom do we get stranded by snow.
Maybe the southern cities need to prepare for the future with a stock pile of salt and antifreeze liquid for the roads. Our major roads are always good. The side streets are another story. That is up to us to take care of.
I am sure you were worried about Andy. Seems our weather is changing and our whole country needs to re-think weather preparation.
On 01/30/2014, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...
Bonnie...same in Kansas. Unheard of to not be able to get around in snow.
On 01/31/2014, Pat said ...
Glad you are all safe and sound. We only had a light dusting of snow in NE Mississippi, but it's been "3-dog cold," as my boss used to say. Have been seeing your situation on TV. Not fun.
On 02/01/2014, Deb said ...
Hi Susan, So glad that you and yours are fine through all the snow/ice! Hope you were stocked up on food for the unexpected snow days!
I'll always remember one winter back in early 1980 when I was visiting Newport News/Hampton Roads area (to see my soon to be fiance). A whole group of young folks were at a family's home where I was staying that weekend. A snowstorm took everyone by surprise, and that poor lady had about 20 folks to feed. I'll always remember the wonderful soup she made that evening...she must have put every vegetable and leftover she had in the fridge in that soup to stretch it to feed those extra mouths! That's been 34 years ago, and I still remember her calm resourcefulness.
Andy, Jesse, and you will have some good memories of the winter of 2014, too, I'm sure!
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