by another storm
The west coast continues to have numerous windstorms, making for an unusual number this fall and winter. On Friday (January 5th) we had snow in some areas, including ours. That night a short but powerful windstorm caused another power outage, our second one in three weeks, though not as bad as the last one.
We had been watching a movie on DVD that had been lent to us – In Her Shoes (I like Shirley MacLaine). About two-thirds of the way through suddenly there was a pop and the power went off. That’s when we noticed the fierce windstorm outside.
The next morning, my husband went outside to check the street and noticed that a huge maple tree between our next door neighbour and the property on her other side had cracked and split, dropping its branches on the high voltage power lines, the street lamp and on the cables running to her house. Later I noticed her huge old apple tree in the backyard had fallen over, roots and all, fortunately not touching her house!
This was pretty close to home. Once again our neighbourhood was out of power for about 36 hours, and without internet for a bit longer than that. We heard that there had been lightning in some areas, and there were power outages in many locales but haven’t found anything about it online, yet. Local news is being dominated by the collapse of the roof of BC Place Stadium.
Anyways, we’ve been distracted and busy keeping the fireplace going and candles lit when dark, having cold meals and hot tea. Mother Nature continues to reveal (and revel in) her power over us and remind us how we take our modern conveniences for granted, and how helpless we can be, but we are thankful to be OK! And I keep writing about the weather. Now I hope we can see the rest of the movie…
January 7, 2007 in Canada and BC, Home by Marja-Leena
I guess I got off lightly with a few loose roof tiles. Stay safe.
Mr. Zip, I take it you’ve had some storms? I keep hearing how unusually warm it is in Europe. They were golfing in Helsinki recently, and had a green Christmas.
We keep getting bouts of furious wind and rain followed by strangely – and unseasonably – mild weather.
Climate change? The east side of North America has been unusually warm. An ancient joke here is a Vancouverite calling his relatives back in Toronto (we have this rivalry thing) and gloating over our balmy weather while they suffer blizzards. Well, this year, it’s the other way around!!
I hope your weather settles down a little soon! Sounds like you’ve had more than your share of the storms. Stay warm and safe.
Marja-leena: That last storm was not so bad by the time it reached us. I had seen the weather-torn stadium roof on tv, but didn’t see the part where the anchor said where it was. Hope you stay warm and safe!
Good thing you’ve got a working fireplace!
An uncle recently gifted me with an immense, battery-powered halogen lantern, and I’m almost looking forward to the chance to use it. Probably do me some good to go without the computer for a while.
MB and Jackie, thanks for your concern.
Dave, this is why we’ve been saving all that firewood, as we hardly use it except during the first cool nights of fall before we turn on the heating system. I know what you mean about taking a break from the computer but must admit we got rather antsy after a day away :-). That light sounds cool.
By the way, the forecast says more windstorms are coming, and maybe snow again. I think this is going to be a long winter….
We have had some power and telecommunications outages here, too.
You are right; we take infrastructure so much for granted.
Welcome back, Chuck! You’ve had storms too!? As I wrote higher up here, the west seems to have had a lot more than the east these past couple months.