Siren Song

The sirens are blaring all over town. I stood outside as the tree next door cracked under the weight of the ice that is coating everything. It sounded like a gunshot. We have power, but I am not sure for how much longer.

Springfield is on the national news. Over half of the town is out of power.

It is still raining, freezing layer upon layer of ice to everything. Tomorrow everything still standing will glisten like the most delicate spun crystal. We're cooking some soup while we still have power, and I'm headed over to my mother's house to get her and the girls. They're in blackout.

It was too warm today for ice to form on the streets yet. The ground refuses to be that cold. It is still safe to drive as long as you make sure to avoid any fallen electrical lines. Update when we get back.

Update 11:04pm

We are home safe. The electricity holds firm here. Sirens are still blaring, trees are cracking under the weight all over town. Saplings are literally bent in half in some places. It's been a long, cold day and dinner is ready.

Update 1:46am

Just got back from driving to check up on, and deliver soup to friends who don't have a phone. They're fine too. Trees down everywhere. Sirens less prevalent now, likely because everyone is asleep. Saw a tree limb that fell on a car, and an electrical wire in serious danger of snapping (if that limb goes, it's taking the line with it, and it's really close to the ground already). On a bright note, there are already small crews out on the street sawing up limbs that have fallen onto the major thoroughfares. The roads still aren't frozen. *smile* Tomorrow we head to the dreaded big box store for more lamp oil. Don't believe them when they say it's over, we weren't scheduled for this until Saturday, and there's more to come. Trees are down everywhere. The big bushes outside of our house are toast. No pictures, the camera hates dark cold. Will try again tomorrow.