“Surviving The Ice Storm On The Plateau”
By: Roger Thackston
Past President FUTIAWA

The winter of 2014-15 on the plateau has been, mostly, uneventful. That all changed about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 21st. Earlier in the week, there was some freezing rain, but most of it had evaporated in the below zero temperatures in the following days. Of course that storm was enough to close schools for the week and delay basketball tournaments.

By Friday the 20th, there was just something in the cold crisp air that made one think the weather was about to change again and for the the worst. Forecasters were calling for snow to develop by nightfall followed by sleet and maybe .25 inch of freezing rain, then just plain ole rain. The forecast was right on. By bedtime, all three had occurred, only the freezing rain just kept on coming all night long and until the afternoon on Saturday.

Linda and I were awakened that Saturday morning with a loud crashing outside our bedroom window, a gravel like sound falling from the roof and wind blowing and howling like a gale. And then the electricity went off. Looking out the window, we could see some home lights, but they soon went dark too. We climbed back under the covers and hoped that power would soon return. Sleep, however, was not an option as concerning sounds continued all around our home.

The crash of a leg size limb from high atop one of our red oaks got our immediate attention and got us on our feet for the rest of the day. It was light enough then to see our frozen world outside and we realized quickly this was and would be a serious situation. Thick ice coated everything and was growing in the 24 degree temperature. Lucky we have a gas fireplace and by closing off a few rooms, it managed to keep us toasty at 65 degrees. COFFEE—-I NEED COFFEE!

Our visiting daughter had parked her car under lowering, ice-coated limbs in the driveway. It needed to be moved to a safer spot, if possible. With a bucket of warm water in hand, we slipped and slid on a two inch layer of ice to the car and by pouring the water around the door to melt the ice, it finally opened. By holding the door open so we could see, we carefully moved it to a somewhat safer location. Minutes later a large limb fell where the car had been parked. Lucky again. COFFEE—–I REALLY NEED COFFEE!

Back in the the house for more cloths and a warm up by the fireplace, we break out the battery radio to try to find out what we can about the situation. It tells us nothing, as weekends are mostly canned or taped programming. I STILL REALLY, REALLY NEED COFFEE!

A generator would be nice and we have one, if I can just get it out of the garage storage room from under all the things pilled on top of it. It was purchased after the last major ice storm 17 years ago. Never used. Stored away for the next storm. Will it even start after all these years. Gassed up, oil checked, fingers crossed, coke on—pull start rope—nothing—pull again—CONTACT—yipe chi a. It coughs and sputters, but finally settles down to what will be a sweet sound for most of three days. Maybe, maybe, I can finally have COFFEE. Extension cords are attached and laid down to the kitchen to the coffee maker in waiting. Switch flipped, fingers crossed, again, and then, that unforgettable smell of fresh coffee brewing. YES, now all will be better!

Never have I had a better cup of COFFEE and the second cup wasn’t bad either. By now, we began to think of something to eat. A hot breakfast would be super. So, out comes the propane burner, attach extra propane tank, and soon we were enjoying sausage, eggs and toast and a third cup of COFFEE. We feel blessed to have heat, a way to cook, and COFFEE. Things could be worse, a lot worse as we would find out for thousands of others.

Having had my coffee fix and a hot meal, my concerns turn to fuel for the generator. My son-in-law and I put on more layers of clothes and slowly 4-wheel drive on the icy roads to find more gas. Not to our surprise, there are limbs and trees on the roads everywhere. Wow, what a mess. Also, others are out looking for gas too. After the fifth gas station, we finally find one that is open, has power and has gas. Three five gallon containers are filled and we begin our course back home. On our way, we see snapped power poles on new cars, traffic signals down, police routing traffic around problems, and more downed trees and limbs. I doubt there is a tree in Cumberland County that hasn’t sustained some damage.

Back home with our prized fuel, more extensions cords are run to refrigerator, freezer, and TV. Ahh yes TV, maybe we can finally get some news. The TV news paints a grim picture, especially of our area. Thousands have no power, transmissions lines are down to substations, and roads are bad in every direction.

Fast forward three days. We have power back on. The driveway is cleared of ice and limbs. We have taken in neighbors and fed them. Checked on and fed other neighbors, talked to and texted family and friends (cell phones worked) and slept under more covers than I have since I was a kid. There is still much clean-up to do, but it can wait until warmer temperatures and sunshine.

Thoughts and lessons learned through the storm.

1. Have a plan and be prepared, as well as you can, to take care of your family when a disaster happens;
2. Appreciate and be thankful for all the things we take for granted every day;
3. We can make due with less if we have to;
4. Be a neighbor and friend;
5. You can go several days without bathing;
6. Be very thankful for the men and women who work in harsh dangerous conditions to restore services and tend to those in need;
7. You can read by the light of oil lamps;
8. Coffee WILL make everything better;
9. May it be another 17 or more years before the next ice storm.

Lastly, thanks to all those who called, texted and e-mailed to check on us. We certainly appreciated your
concerns, your thoughts and prayers, not only for us, but all the others.