Last week is bleeding over into this week, just like last year's woes are bleeding over into this year's tribulations. This was our landscape last Tuesday:
Four days later:
Our timeline:
Thursday, February 11th: The icy rain started to come down just as we were dismissing students for the day. We were told to gather our laptops and teaching supplies and leave ASAP. All after school activities were canceled. Our power cut off and on a couple of times, but was steady after that.
Friday, February 12th: Woke up to six inches of snow. We taught classes remotely. Power outages were beginning; I was emailed by a third grade class in the afternoon to join their Google Meet as their adult moderator, because their teacher lost power in the middle of their Kahoot and disappeared. We talked about geometric shapes, Paris, stuffed animals, books, and the weather until the end of the school day. At home, we still had power, internet, and running water.
Saturday, February 13th through Monday, February 15th: Freezing rain, ice, then snow--more consecutive winter events than I've ever seen in my thirty-plus years in Austin. Our scheduled staff development was turned topsy-turvy; teachers were given time to plan what looked like a week ahead of virtual learning. More power outages being reported. I started checking on friends to make sure they were okay.
Tuesday, February 16th: We lost internet. We were supposed to have another day of staff development. I attended the first meeting of the day via phone, to find out that all district business was cancelled for the day. My husband and I went for a walk in the snow, thankful that we still had heat and water and food in the house. We received an email later in the day that said classes were canceled through Thursday.
Wednesday, February 17th: I made a big pot of ham and bean soup that was finished just before our water ran out in the neighborhood. We hadn't filled the tub or saved any water, thinking our pipes were fine, not thinking beyond that. My husband started collecting snow; we formed a two-person bucket brigade as he handed the loaded containers to me at the door to dump into the bathtub. He spent the better part of the evening melting, straining, and boiling it to use for quick sponge bathing and washing dishes. We made a "camp potty" out of black plastic bags and paper towels in our toilet (a lesson learned from a previous plumbing issue) so that we could conserve water for other uses. Classes are canceled for the week; there are too many staff and students without power and water to run even remote learning.
Thursday, February 18th: My husband continues to gather snow to melt. One last snow plus ice storm this evening. Still without internet or water, but thankful for phone data, heat, and food in the pantry.
Friday, February 19th: The thaw after the storms begins. Internet service has returned, and my husband returned to work. I harvested the ice off the top of the snow for over an hour before it disappeared, collecting about four gallons' worth once it was melted down. Sponge bathing is fine, but I am really, really missing a good hair wash.
Saturday, February 20th: So many reports of busted pipes and continued water shortages all around; most of those who have water are being told to boil it before consumption. My husband takes advantage of water distribution at my school while I participated in an online training. I think the continuous heat in our home saved our pipes, though we won't know for sure until we get running water. By evening, the district had announced that we would be closed through Tuesday for repairs; there were at least seventy issues throughout the district, including one entire floor flooded at a middle school.
Sunday, February 21st: The water is flowing again! We are also under a boil water notice. I am able to take a hot shower before getting my second Moderna COVID shot, which thankfully was not rescheduled due to the weather. We ordered takeout from our favorite Mexican restaurant on the way home. I started to feel the side effects of the vaccination by the afternoon.
Monday, February 22nd: I am laid low by the vaccination side effects, so I'm glad we have the day off. I am able to chair an online meeting by the evening, where we spend most of our time just checking in with members who were able to get online. Some are still without water, went days without power, are dealing with busted pipes. I assured everyone that taking care of personal and professional business was the priority of the week; our committee business could wait.
And we have arrived at today. I overslept this morning, a bad habit picked up over these unexpected days off, and rushed to work for an allotted half hour to gather supplies in case we go virtual for the rest of the week. We have been doing our best to conserve water so that there's enough to go around, but I will have to do some laundry today. I'm still a bit nauseous and fatigued from the shot, but feeling good enough to prepare for the week ahead.
Discombobulated is definitely the feeling of the day, week, month; it's like 2020 just won't let go!
This post hit me hard; what a horrible experience and your careful documentation here shows readers the challenges you faced. The images looked like home to me, here, in Canada where we are used to winter storms and our infrastructure is built to sustain everyone with heat and water. I hope you start feeling better soon and that much future good comes from this storm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie. We had it better than many, keeping our power and heat, no busted pipes. Grateful for water and a fairly sturdy home! And yes, I hope there will be infrastructure changes as well!
DeleteI have been thinking about you guys in Texas. Here in the north we understand cold and snow and it is no fun shut inside but we do not have your added issues of lost power, water and heat! My thoughts are with you! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne! We are slowly but surely getting back to "normal", or as normal as we can be in pandemic mode.
DeleteThe lack of heat and water is something we experienced many times when I lived in the snow belt of NYS, but it was always scary and difficult even with generators and wood stoves and gas ranges. It sounds like you used pioneer spirit and determination to get through this...hope things go smoothly in the weeks ahead.
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely prepare for winter a bit differently come November, that is for sure! Getting our fireplace in working order will be a first step this summer.
DeleteChris - I hardly know where to start - I have read your post twice with an aching heart. I am feeling exhausted by association, from afar. I can't begin to imagine how exhausted you must be. I am hoping the vaccination reaction is better by now, that your strength is returning. A water shortage is a terrifying thing. We are on a well here and we lose water when we lose power, which fortunately has only been for a couple of days at the worst. I can see images of your husband gathering snow to melt... I hope this whole thing will lead to better changes for sustainability in the future but most of all, I hope repairs and relief come quickly now. You've been on my mind this whole time - my husband grew up in Texas and has also been following this events carefully, watching in horror. Our prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteFran, we had it so much easier than so many, keeping our power--and heat--the whole time. I was frequently checking on friends, distracted by noises of the house shifting. And yes, thirty-six hours after the shot I was pretty much back to my usual self--and happy to be vaccinated!
DeleteChris, I like the timeline format you used to document this odd week. I agree, it seems that 2020 just won't leave anyone alone!
ReplyDeleteI know it read like a news report, Alice, but I felt like it would be good documentation for "Snovid 2021". Something to look back on in years to come!
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