While I was excited about the prospect of the massive storm causing an inclement weather day on KU's campus, I was also very bummed that the storm kept my hubby at work all night long. The storm obviously caused massive outages for Westar (which peaked at about 92,000 homes without power earlier today), and one representative from the Business Center where Chad works has to be available at all times during such an emergency. Thankfully, despite the bad weather, Chad arrived home safely this morning at 4:45 a.m.
I wasn't so thankful an hour and a half later when I woke up to find that KU had not been closed for the day, even though Lawrence schools had. I couldn't really complain when I drove to work though--the roads really weren't slick at all. Despite all the freezing rain, the temperature was holding steady at about 32 degrees, so ice wasn't really staying on the roadways. It was, however, sticking to the trees. It continued to rain all day and the temp hovered right around freezing, so the trees were layered with ice upon ice. Older trees had huge branches breaking off, while the younger ones just drooped with the weight. As dangerous and cold as ice storms are though, I just can't help but find them so beautiful. When we were out walking the dogs this evening, I snapped a few pictures of what I always think looks like an amazing winter wonderland.
The pictures don't do the beauty of the ice justice, but maybe you can get the idea. While I do marvel at the sight of the ice on the trees, the sound of ice on trees is another story. When the wind picked up little this evening and we were out walking, all you could hear was the creaking and cracking of ice on the branches, which was an ominous precursor to what we will likely have more of tonight--broken tree branches damaging power lines! Unfortunately, it will be a long, long week for those linemen at Westar, and probably a few more late nights for my dear husband too. :(
5 comments:
We had wondered what the storm had meant for Chad. Now we know! I get so frustrated with the KC news stations though that make every storm into "the Storm of the Century" just to incite panic and fear. Get over it people, this is the Midwest and we do in fact get 4 seasons! Now, the storm in early 2002 was cause for alarm. That truly was a crICEis. (I came up with that word tonight. Sorta lame, I know. But a news station can use it for the next major storm if they will pay me!) ;)
BTW, I just noticed that good old K-town made it on the map you posted! Woo hoo! They rarely make it on a map!
I won't tell you that it was 77 degrees in Gulfport yesterday.
I hadn't noticed Kearney on the map until you mentioned it, Amber. You can thank Weather.com. :) Way to give a shout out to your hometown!!
I'm with you on the weather people in KC. I can't stand the unnecessary drama. Really. ;)
Erin, while your weather may be lovely, and while I have to admit I am looking forward to Miami in a few weeks, I don't think I could ever get into the holiday spirit if it was 77 degrees in December! :)
Note how the girl from Nebraska isn't bothered by the ice and snow :) hehe!
Well, we are really looking forward to driving in the U.S. so that ice had better keep its distance!
Poor Chad. Tell him I'm sure the ice storm made a certain someone's Talk Show. ;)
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