So I'm sitting here listening to the pouring rain...Which is probably actually freezing rain, and I'm thinking, I'm not ready! While the snow is beautiful, the freezing rain is a menace. We moved into our brand new house last March and realized our current generator isn't big enough to power even our heater if something were to happen. So...I'm sitting here praying for a miracle to stop the freezing rain! I'm sure everyone remembers the past ice storms! I sure hope we don't have a repeat!
I have to admit that those thoughts have crossed my mind, too. Let it snow for a little while. Let it rain for a whole lot longer and let the freezing wait until next winter.
Yes, we can very well remember the terrible ice storm we had just a few short years ago. It is also raining here where we live, and is 33 degrees outside. While we are never ready for these ice storms, we do what we can to prepare for the worst. Don says he can see a little ice on the electrical wires. :( It sounds like Mother Nature plans to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary "with a pop, snap and bang!"
We started getting sleet (those stinging little ice pellets) about 10:30 this morning, in the midst of loud claps of thunder. I left campus about 30 minutes ago (it took 15 to de-ice the car windows). Nice to be home where it's dry, warm and free from that brutal wind.
Only in Kansas can you get four seasons.....
all in the same 24-hour period! :o
So how is everyone holding up? We have about 5 inches of snow and they say the worst is over for us in Wichita. BUT they kept drawing a bullseye around the Eureka-Howard-Sedan area and saying it may get a foot or more of snow by midnight. I sure hope everyone there is warm and safe indoors, and send prayers for those who have to be outdoors in it.
Just curious if there is a city/county road crew that clears the streets during bad weather. Even in a city as large as Wichita, the crews only clear the main arteries and leave the side streets up to the residents to clear. Fortunately, someone in our neighborhood has a 4WD and snow plow so our streets don't stay buried under snow for very long. I'm wondering how it works in Howard.
BTW, some weeks ago I bought a snow shovel at Cookson's and was teased by a another customer there at the time (I think his name might have been Andy or Scott...honestly don't recall, and it's really not important anyway). He said "What do you plan to do with that snow shovel?" and I replied, "Well, it's bound to snow sooner or later, right?" Truth is, I'm using it to scrape up the yucky floor in the basement....LOL....little did I know we'd really be needing it for snow so soon!
Funny thing is, we've lived in Wichita five years and never owned a snow shovel. Now that we do, where is it? In Howard, where more than a foot of snow is expected!
I think it is still snowing and our electricity is still on. My windows are so frosted and frozen over that I can't see through them so I can't see if it is snowing. The last radar I saw showed snow in this area. Janet said we had about 6 inches when she brought my mail in this evening.
I think that we are looking at 10 inches right now. I've been trying to keep the snow off the back steps by forcing the screen door out as far as I can. However; it just keeps piling up. Jim swept the front porch once and it is already covered up with snow. I can tell you that Colonel likes it but he doesn't want to stay out in it.
Lynne, you asked if the streets of Howard are plowed after a snow. My street, one of the lesser streets in town, has been plowed both directions. We had 12 inches of snow. It is a pretty sight, looking out across my undisturbed backyard. My front yard is too small and full of front porch, ramp, walks (which have now been shoveled) and trees to present any kind of a winter picture. I like the snow when I can stay inside out of it.
our street has not been touched by any plow we just have tracks were cars have tried to make it up the hill
Maybe they choose the streets by the importance of the people that live on them. Let's see: on S. Walnut there is Mary Buffalo, then me, (going north) Esther Jordan, unknown, Tina Shipley, Buena Taylor. And up by the park is the water dispenser. Is that enough to get S. Walnut plowed?
We're thinking of taking a drive over today to check on the building (especially the water pipes). I'm sure 400 is clear, but how is 99? Has anyone from Howard made the drive to Wichita in the past couple days?
The highways are clear pretty much. Washington street is clear. The side streets and Wabash St. has been plowed, but with the snow in the middle, like Kjell put on the first page, you have to be careful. You will be okay in town if you are just careful. Probably the biggest problem you will have is getting into the church because the snow is deep. Wear winter clothing and water proof boots.
Lynne, I had to go to Independence today to get some carpet, and the highways were beautiful, dry and clean. The Independence city streets, however were in much worse shape than Howard's. The parking lot at WalMart was so awful that people were stuck there. Two people fell in the parking lot while I was there, and the snow fell off the roof over the entrance and knocked another lady down. I just drove through and left ~ what a mess!
One would have thought that Wal-Mart would have hired someone to clean off their lot at night when there were very few customeers. How dumb is that? I hope that the people who fell didn't get hurt. Maybe they need a good lawyer? Wonder if I could do that???? ::) ::)
Hey there ... we just got home from Howard a few minutes ago. Took Janet's advice and bundled up good. We were so pleased there were no broken water pipes in the basement and no snow seeped through the back door (Terrell had just fixed it last weekend, bless his heart. He did a great job!)
We ate burgers at Poplar and drove home beneath a spectacular sunset. I sure do love the Flint Hills, any time of year.
Joanna, we stopped at Walmart when we got into Wichita and the parking lots were terrible here too. What a madhouse.
Quote from: Janet Harrington on December 02, 2006, 11:27:42 AM
The side streets and Wabash St. has been plowed, but with the snow in the middle, like Kjell put on the first page,
They must have only plowed Wabash as far as Washington 'cos none of the streets down here including Wabash have been plowed :'(
I am beginning to feel so privileged because my street has been plowed both ways and I am not exactly in the middle of town. I am exactly about as far from the middle of town as I can be.
I went out with a yardstick the day after the big snowstorm and we had 14 inces out here...I live about 6 miles northwest of Howard. There was a snow drift in the backyard that came up to my waist!! Our roads weren't plowed until Saturday, I think it was. Billy and I went into town on Friday to get some dinner and the country roads were a mess! The snow came halfway up the tires on the truck. Thank goodness all that man will ever buy is a diesel 4-wheel drive pickup! I don't like snow at all. So I just stay inside and go out only when needed. The dogs sure loved it! Running and playing...It was so cute.
And when it all melts~~~~
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/140.gif) sloppy messy icky.
By the way CrumCowgirlMama.. I like your new picture and your sidekick is awesome.
( spoken from a true horse lover)
I found out why I was so privileged as to have my street plowed both directions. The owner of the equipment lives at the south end of the street and his business is on the corner of Walnut and Washington. Lucky me.
I'm not complaining - not gonna say a word! :-X :-X :-X
We live on Washington. It's nice. I'm contented. :)
I began to worry Saturday afternoon about getting out of my garage and down my alley/drive....but after making a few calls--somone came and I had my area cleared in less than 30 minutes. I think it not necessarily who you are, but how you are. I appreciate the efforts made---I am just glad there are people employed and/or willing to get out in that type of weather to take care of it-----Lord knows I don't want to at all. I'd just as soon stay "holed" up and wait til Spring.