It's been quite the weather weekend in these parts and points south (Michigan, New York State, New England), and points east (Quebec, the Maritimes), beginning Friday afternoon with a dose of ice pellets and freezing rain. This was just a little teaser, a delicate prelude to the onslaught of ice that began in earnest Saturday afternoon and plunged hundreds of thousands into darkness and cold.
This morning almost a quarter of a million people in Toronto are without power and another 100,000 or so in points north. We lost power at 3pm Sunday, but it was back on by midnight. In the rural routes where we live a loss of power means a loss of water too, because our water supply comes from a well, but we were prepared. The weather forecasters warned us and I focused my weather eye on the maps and forecast models enough to know that this storm would be bad. I filled the bathtubs and camp jugs with water, located the candles, charged up all the batteries and brought in lots of firewood. We were warm and semi dark and QUIET, well except for the clatter and creak of trees weighed down by way too much ice.
I am grateful for the hydro crews (Ontario Power Generation) who worked and are working so hard. I am grateful for the first responders who are doing their best to keep us safe and healthy, and also the road crews. All is well.
Expectations and plans may be have to be trimmed a bit, but Christmas cannot be stopped.
Best wishes to all. Be safe.
April
©2013 April Hoeller
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