So
this year in the North East we have been subjected to a Tornado, a Hurricane
and Earthquake…now we were hit by an early year Nor’easter that caused
widespread damage and turmoil as it rolled through the North East Halloween
weekend! (October 29, 2011)
The
local news stations tried to prepare all the residents of CT that this will be
a potentially devastating storm because the leaves were still on the trees. But
I will say that most of us (me included) didn’t think it would be “that bad.” And
honestly the news stations love making a big deal out weather events that turn
out to be nothing in the end. Boy was I WRONG this time!
I
was in the house with 3 small children and it was fine during the day because
as the snow continued to fall I could at least see the tree branches and trees
that were falling. As it got dark that Saturday night is when my motherly
instincts started to kick into high gear. I was pacing relentlessly through the
house and flinching consistently as I could only hear the sound of branches
cracking and then falling to the ground with a loud “THUD.” At one point we
timed how often we heard a branch fall it was consistently 1 every 5-10mins at the
height of the storm.
At
times in the dark when we would look through the window, the sky was lighting
up with lighting strikes (yes lighting strikes are possible during winter storms).
The colors were magnificent – Reds, yellows and blues. In that moment I thought
about the magnificent power of GOD. Things seems to stand still around me in
that moment as I gazed upon the spectacular event that was happening outside of
my house.
My
house and neighborhood is surrounded by trees. Large & tall trees that have
been around for years, standing on average 60ft-100ft tall. I prayed all night
that no harm or danger would come to my house or my family. I prayed for safety
of my neighbors and those that were out on the roads during this dangerous
time.
At
one point during the night we heard loud banging outside and it was our
neighbor. He was trying to cut up a tree that had fallen across the road with a
machete. Our street is the shape of horse shoe that leads to the main street. A large tree had fallen across the main tree
and was impassable so the only access to get through was our street. So
neighborly love kicked in and we all went out to help. There were about 8 of us
out there that night chopping, sawing and moving this extremely large tree just
to make sure that those that were traveling could get to their homes safely.
Eventually,
I was able to fall asleep and when morning came the damage that was done was unbelievable!
There were branches and trees down all over the place. It looked like a war
zone. My neighbor had a large oak tree snap at the base and fall directly in
the middle of his house! All things
considered, everyone in the neighborhood was safe and sound.
I
am currently still without power and have been staying outside of the state
until my power is back on. It has been a
very challenging week. Trying to work remote for work and entertain a 4 year
old who is full of energy and doesn’t understand exactly what is going on. To her
it is a vacation…for me I am constantly wondering what I am in store for when I
return home. I have a freezer to empty and the clean up outside will begin.
The Aftermath
·
- There were a reported 800,000 total power outages throughout the state according to Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL-P). The largest power outage ever in CT history.
- There were no gas stations, grocery stores or Dunkin Donuts (we all know how it is when we don’t have that cup of coffee in the morning)
- There have been at least six death reported as a result of the storm. That number has the potential to climb as people are still without power and are using generators, grills, etc in their homes inappropriately and leading to CO poisoning
- Many residents are not expected to get power back until Sunday November 6, 2011. That would be over 7 days with no power.
- Many residents are spending cold nights in their homes, with babies, toddlers and teenagers, and spouses, as the temperatures get down to less than 30 degrees outside at night causing home temperatures to be at 45 degrees or less.
- There has been no school for most of the state for the last week. This has added to the end of the school year and has caused the potential for missed winter or spring vacation if the winter months provide for more cancellations due to snow.
I will say that I am pretty much over
winter and it really hasn’t started. I am worried about the stress on the trees
that are still standing from both the hurricane and the winter storm and what
that means for the winter months ahead. Can you say “I am ready for spring!”
Please keep the families that were affected by this storm in your thoughts and prayers!
