Storm of the Century, yawn...

[POINTER94]

40mph winds, 12-16 inches of snow! Schools, churches, businesses closed. Yea right.

I drove home last night around 9 in the teeth of the storm at 60mph. People driving like fools, 25mph on an interstate with the flashers on while driving on dry pavement. :| TV weathermen screaming to stay inside, and have provisions. Whatever you do, don't go out. What a bunch of tools. This has been at best a minor inconvenience.

I think I can spend the next 15 minutes snowblowing and shoveling out the fallout of the Perfect Storm. :}

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Yeah, but if this happened down South, people would freak right out with the first inch. More cars in ditches than on the road. Fender-benders with what managed to stay on the road. Oh, the Humanity. Around here, the first inch makes it slippery. Anything more just gives you better traction.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

The "Doomsday Procrastinators" around our area hailed a huge ice storm coming our way....spent at least 5 minutes of the news cast talking about it...."Could get 1/2" inch of ice before it's over!!" touted one prognosticator.

Spent considerable time last night at the Fire Station along with some of the firefighters making sure equipment was working.....especially generators. Of course setting around with coffee and BS'ing is a part of every get together there....d .

Everyone went home expecting to get woke up to the tune of the pagers going off.....instead we woke up to some light rain. So much for ice storms.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

People driving like fools, 25mph on an interstate with the flashers on while driving on dry pavement. TV weathermen screaming to stay inside, and have provisions. Whatever you do, don't go out. What a bunch of tools. This has been at best a minor inconvenience.

Ayuh,........ Welcome to My World.........

Although I Do wish that all these "Foreigners". ei; the Southern GI's dependents,+ the Southern GIs themselves, Would listen to the Weatherman,......

There'd be Alot Less obstacles to maneuver around with My 4 wheel drive Truck........
With the 11+ft. we've gotten This Month,....
Us Locals think it's Just a Normal Winter.......

 

[OBJ]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Curious Bond-o....around your neck of the woods....do the prognosticators give a long winded weather report or just say "Snows comin'"....and let it go at that?? I mean, after 10 or 11 ft of the stuff.....who would be counting.d

 

[Bondo]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Well,.....
With it most All being "Lake Effect",.... They spend abit of time Trying to nail down whether the weather is going to run slightly South, or North, or Due East of the Lake......

Luckily,.... Most of this Last Storm(All 3 Weeks of it) ran slightly South, which kept Most it Away from My houses.......
Not that it Missed me,..
The Plowed up Banks are as High as I can reach with the Loader I've been using........

The only Real Issue up here has been the Temp not making it Up to 32*,..... The Snow Isn't settling.....
And of course, If the Temps stay down,+ come Up too Fast,.. There's going to be some Serious Flooding later this spring.....

 

[OBJ]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

For sure the flooding part is a real threat. We live with here every spring. Right now the creeks are still covered in ice. The big hope is that they break up and melt slowly. Not sure what we'd to with 11' of snow.....probably build another "Ark".

Sure hope you guys up there make it through the spring with no problems.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Being in the industry, if you folks have a basement that is prone to flooding, buy your drainer or dewatering pump now! They typically won't honor warranty due to the public's lack of ethics in destroying or trying to return working pumps after their basements are dry (in conjunction with a natural disaster). If you get one now, your reciept will have more validity. (Sounds stupid but it is true) It will also ensure that you will be able to get one.

Remember when buying a pump, if you don't know exactly what you need, get the SMALLER one. This will help insure a longer lifespan for it.

 

[Pony]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

That was an incredibly odd storm, and the local news of coarse blew it WAY out proportion. I actually turned off the tv this morning when the "person on the scene" explained why cars were getting stuck and what salt does.

We got 10" on Friday night, and the roads were 100% clear by 10am.

I was out of town on Saturday and got home today. Last night got additional 10-11".

The funny thing is I have never expirienced being near the "cut off" of heavy vs light snow. Going 20 miles south and there is literally half the snow. If I went to Milwuakee by campus, they got maybe 4-6" total for the two days.

I took a few picks to send to my uncle in Alabama who for whatever reason sends me pictures of him sitting outside in shorts when it is below zero.....here they are.

The last picture shows the top edge of the snowblower....which is 24" high.

 

[jimlad]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

8) we are so jealous we only get a good slush over here

 

[12Footer]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Can somebody tell this southern GI what all that white stuff is in the pictures? Did the sta-puft marshmellow dude blow up or sompin?

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Here in the Seattle area, people, (mainly the School folks), get real freaked out if there is a snow flake within a few miles on the radar n' close the schools. That does cause difficulties for some o' the workin' parents, (my kids are grown now but I remember havin three wild kids, [they get wild after behavin' for a few hours o' course], hangin' out in the ol' lunchroom watchin' vids n' makin' hot chocolate with lots o' extra chocolate n' sugar; [which makes 'em wilder o' 'course]). The other issue is wet snow on the hills 'round here which freaks out many. Or those who jus' got a brand new 4X4 n' thinkin' the ol' 4X4 stops jus' as good as a smaller lighter car, NOT. They learn real quick that more weight n' higher center o' gravity means be carefull o' sudden stops n' sharp turns or you find a ditch real quick. JR8)

 

[OBJ]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

I spent near 9 Months at McCord AFB over near Tacoma back in the late 60's. Had about an inch of snow while I was there. Local people really got paranoid about driving and stuff. Most of us guys from snow prone areas just took it in stride and had a good time...d

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Yup OBJ, Even though I'm from 'round here I've owned a 4X4 since my third car, (an ol' 1972 3/4 ton straight axel Ford 'High Boy' I bought in 1974 [n' wish I still had the ol' girl] with very large 12" wide mud tires on Ansen mags n' lot's o' Iron fore n' aft, (welded the custom winch n' step bumpers with nasty back up lites [to freak out those dip sticks follerin' too close], by myself, [n' yes BB it did have gun racks: FYI], not that you would have an interest in anything 'bout me, but I wanted to keep a cornsistent gun totin' 'red neck' image in yer mind for yer cornsideration n' all]). I've always needed a 4X4 as the boat launch at the lake where my island, (Ruby R.... Island:BB) is located has a steep gravel launch n' heavy boats cause trouble for some with only 2X4. I worked n' lived in North Eastern Oregon, for a while n' after college n' traveled in snow n' skied enough ta learn ta drive properly in snow. That all said: I never have had trouble drivin' in the stuff myself (n' back then 4X4s were not as common as they are today n' people would see this massive truck with lights on the cab, [with a 'hillbelly' in a flannel shirt at the wheel n' a gun rack n' all] rollin' towards 'em) n' get outa the way n' let me roll on by. Doesn't work any more, (everybody now has 4X4s), so the real problem is not my drivin' skills but the rubes out on the highway that don't have a clue how ta drive. They can't drive in rain 'round here either, so the real bad traffic gets much worse if there's a rain drop in the area, (which is fairly common 'round here). JR8)8)8)

 

[OBJ]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Had one 4x4 in my life....an old Willey's Jeep. Rebuilt the 4 popper in it, new springs, rag top, brakes....had a blast with that little thing. Sold it and bought a 2x truck. Wanted to buy a 4x4 the last time I bought a truck but really didn't have the justification. So, I settled for a positrac rear end. Ain't been stuck yet....(knock on wood....8) ) stuck a front hitch on it (just to compliment the towing package that came with the truck) and been happy ever since. I think I use the front hitch more than the back....d

 

[Pony]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

I have 4x4 only because it was on the truck when I bought it. I didnt mind at the time since I had a fiberglass trihull to pull up ramps.......

Now it gets used only on snow covered roads. Don't really need it, but it does come in handy.

Lots of "soccer moms" here seem to think 4x4 is the do all/end all and have no clue how to drive in snow or slick conditions. They seem to forget 4x4 wont help you stop......or keep you going straight on slick stuff. etc etc etc.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

Hey OBJ, I wish I had that Jeep yer talkin' 'bout. I have an ol' 4X4 Nissan truck ta pull the boats out a the drink out on ol' Ruby R.... Island. I built a road from one end to the other with my li'l back hoe, but the ol' Nissan can't turn like a Jeep could, (so I can't drive from end to end of ol' RR island like I could with yer Jeep). I've had my eye out for a Suzuki Samari, or an old Willeys like you had ta fix up n' float out ta RR Island. (I have ta float things out there durin' the wee hours as there are lots o' Libs up there tryin' ta mind my business n' they would like ta complain 'bout my activities if I give 'em a chance to n' all). Don't want ta give 'em any extra ammo, so I do it when they r sleepin'. It's a real problem 'cause they mostly have 60 foot wide lots n' my island is 'bout 1100 feet long. 6.6 acres is 'bout the size o' an unsinkable aircraft carrier, n' makes 'em wanna control the 1100 foot 'park' in their front windows n' all. JR8)8)

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

I have 4x4 only because it was on the truck when I bought it. I didnt mind at the time since I had a fiberglass trihull to pull up ramps.......

Now it gets used only on snow covered roads. Don't really need it, but it does come in handy.

Lots of "soccer moms" here seem to think 4x4 is the do all/end all and have no clue how to drive in snow or slick conditions. They seem to forget 4x4 wont help you stop......or keep you going straight on slick stuff. etc etc etc.

Yup, Ever since 1974, (ya have to remember ta turn in the hubs on the old ones, like the ol' Ford I was talkin' 'bout), but on my present SUV, which has the hubs engaged all the time; you just feel a li'l slippin' n' pull the ol' stick down a notch n' VIOLA; yer on yer way. I never run in 4X4 'till I have to since it keeps ya humble ta slip n' slide a li'l. JR ps: BB knows a li'l humility helps ol' Murky from time ta time.8)8)

 

[Pony]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

I still throw sand bags in the back just so that I wont have to use it as much. Uses too much gas anyways..............

 

[roscoe]

Re: Storm of the Century, yawn...

People that have never learned to drive a 4000#+ rear wheel drive car, will never learn to drive in ice and snow. Even if their vehicle is awd, alb, traction control, etc.