"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Ice Storm Has Taken It's Toll

We have been without power at our place since last Wednesday night between 6:00 & 7:00. I was in the process of downloading photos to my blog when everything went black in the house.We have a warm home and hot meals because we have a wood stove, and a good supply of firewood. A battery powered radio keeps us in touch with the outside world, a well stocked pantry , bottled water, and candles keep us going when it gets dark.The first night without power was beautiful. Lots of snow outside gave us bright and quiet scenery ,all was as pretty and cozy as a Christmas card.Thursday night the ice storm came. We had a full 24 hours of trees popping, exploding, and bursting all around our property. We did not venture past the porches , nor did the animals venture out of their shelters...the falling branches were weapons, and there was no time the branches were not falling. Some of the limbs that fell were themselves the size of large trees. When the temperatures began warming yesterday it was still dangerous outside because branches are falling with each blast of wind. Tonight and Tuesday we have windstorms forecast, with gusts up to 55 MPH. If I could download pictures of our place you would see it looks like a war zone. The devastation is daunting, but our house escaped any damage, and although some of the animal pens sustained branches through their roofs, not a single animal was killed, a true miracle. The picture above is courtesy of my daughter, A.Joy, whose computer I am using tonight.The ice storm has taken it's toll, and I think it will be collecting from us for a very long time to come. I am praising and thanking God for keeping us safe. I hope you are all well and safe during the storms of winter too.

19 comments:

rkbsnana said...

Oh, wow! Glad you are all well. Take care. Look forward to hearing all is back to normal.

JC said...

We were only out of power for a day. Cable and phone came back yesterday. We have trees all over our yard down. The cracking was terrible. Dogs didn't want to go out and I didn't want them too either.

I do hope your power comes back on, I can't even imagine how I'd be. Yes, I'd be at a hotel by now.

Thinking of you....

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy! I am thankful that God kept you and your animals safe during such a severe storm. It's only been a few years since something very similar happened at your place. God bless you all. Keeping you in our prayers.

Pondside said...

I'm so grateful, Kathy, that you and yours are safe. We saw the news about your severe weather and have been following it. So far we have not had a power failure, but the winds tonight are 100 km/hour and all the ferries have been cancelled since early today. I hope things get back to normal by Cedar Pond before too long.

Connie said...

I'm sorry to hear you are still without power and that you have had so much damage to the trees and to your property, Kathy. I am very thankful to hear that you and your family and your animals are all OK after all of this. I know how damaging ice storms and high winds can be. They are a very dangerous combination. I will keep you in my prayers here.

Anonymous said...

No ice storms here!

Take care,

Amy

Vickie said...

Kathy, I'm so glad you guys are alright! I had no idea there was an ice storm up there! Believe it or not several years ago, we had a bad one in Texas and I know what you mean about hearing all the popping and snapping. This was at home and not the farm. We had a bunch of trees that we had to take down, and we were without power for nearly a week. Since we were outside the city limits, we were the last to get power.
'
I'm glad to hear there was no loss of animals and your home was not damaged. Mother Nature will not be controlled! Hope you didn't get too much damage! And hope your power is back on soon! I'll be thinking about you all!

Alice said...

The one good thing I can say about Minnesota winters is even in the cold icy storms it is rare that the power goes out probably because the lines are buried under ground and there are not many trees like the pacific northwest. Glad you are safe.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Oh, Kathy, I am so sorry. I was having a bad feeling about things. I know that you guys will get everything cleaned up soon, but I am sorry that this has happened. Love you and am praying for the Lord to be the wind beneath you wings. What a mess you are facing.

God bless,

Kathy M.

joanne said...

The winds are next, then starts the clean up. Looks like we lost a few trees here but will wait for the next phase to pass before we venture out. Glad you are safe and warm...I'm a little tired of soup and tea though!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

We had a terrible ice storm about 10 years ago on Christmas. We lost power and phones--had no water since we have an electric well pump. Our neighbors invited us up as they had a wood stove and a generator so we were comfortable for the 5 days we spent there! I still remember the cracking and breaking of tree limbs in the total darkness. Not an experience I want ever again! Praise God your family and animals are safe!
We had tornado warnings here in central Arkansas tonight--in January!! Crazy weather for sure!
V

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

We had a terrible ice storm about 10 years ago on Christmas. We lost power and phones--had no water since we have an electric well pump. Our neighbors invited us up as they had a wood stove and a generator so we were comfortable for the 5 days we spent there! I still remember the cracking and breaking of tree limbs in the total darkness. Not an experience I want ever again! Praise God your family and animals are safe!
We had tornado warnings here in central Arkansas tonight--in January!! Crazy weather for sure!
V

Timi said...

I am so glad you are safe!!!
Take care!!!

Dolores said...

I Praise God for your safety, your animals and your home....
You must really appreciate your wood stove and dry wood.

Stay safe

Deanna said...

Hi Kathy.
You're so blessed to be in a warm home with food!

We've had the wind off and on here in Kansas and still waiting for some snow.
Don't like the ice except admiring how beautiful it is dangling from things.

Sweet Winter Blessings,
d

LindaSue said...

oh no! had not heard about ice storm and so sorry for the damage -grateful A.Joy is close

Lady Jane said...

Scary. Hope things wont be too bad when you go out to clean up. The main thing is you and your hubby are safe and the animals are ok. Prayers for you guys are in my heart. Hugs. LJ

PeregrineBlue said...

although it looks romantic and lends itself for storybook telling, it is scary. thank goodness you have planned ahead and have stocked up on the essentials. the wood stove is a blessing in itself, otherwise you would be stuck with sandwiches.

it is raining heavily here too. a much needed rain so have spent much of the day indoors, cozing up, but just heard there was another temblor in chile.

Anonymous said...

Praise God for the comforts He has provided in the storm--so like Him in all areas of life:)
My blog Beloved has moved to this new blogspot
Shirley in Virginia