We've been snowed into our cul de sac since Sunday. Portland is breaking records all over the place. Most snow for December, most snow on Christmas and some others. We've been dealing with the weather since last week Monday - closing schools and such because of the ice. Now it's two to three feet of snow and then the wind blowing it into drifts of at least 5 feet. Gresham, the city we live in, has called in the National Guard to help get to people on the side streets who can't get emergency help. My neighbor fell and broke her arm very badly and we had to call in someone with a 4 wheel drive and chains to take her to the hospital cuz the fire department couldn't get in and they said that if we had to go by ambulance, they would have to carry her out to the street. She was in too much pain for that so we had to improvise.
Now before those of you who live in the frozen North start giving me grief, take some of these facts into account. Our usual snow here in the valley is one or two days of snow that melt right away - that's winter. The paper had an interesting comparison
Gresham
Population: 101,000
Street Miles: 319
Snowplows: 4 (and they aren't really plows, they are dump trucks with blades)
Wilwaukee, WI
Population: 602,000
Street miles: 1400
Snowplows: 360, plus contractors standing by
Interstate I-84 was closed from Saturday until yesterday morning from here to Hood River. That stranded many cars and about 300 semis at the truck stops. Needless to say, we're all having a hard time. I haven't moved this much snow since I left Montana. We live in a 55 and older community and Rick and I are the youngest people living here so we spend lots of time looking after our neighbors - especially the single women. They call us Mr and Mrs Roper but we don't mind- someone has to keep track of them all. I tease Rick about all his "wives".
AND it's snowing again. Now they're predicting rain/snow mix for today and tomorrow - more ice!. Now add to that - it's been below freezing since last Wednesday. Mike and family are still planning on getting here for Christmas Eve and we've invited neighbors who can't get to family to bring pot luck to our house on Christmas Day. Should be fun. I know that we're eating pot roast, escalloped potatoes and ham, various desserts and who knows what else. I'm excited about it.
Enough complaining from me. Hope that you are snug and warm and looking forward to sharing your Holidays with friends and family.
1 comment:
Wow, that is a lot of snow. We have some snow but not a lot and the temps are finally above zero. Sixteen degrees above to be exact. You will probably have one of your most memorable Christmas's. Hope your family makes it. Have a wonderful holiday.
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