Winter Storm Atlas: U.G.L.Y.

Old man winter came into South Dakota like a rabid dog looking to take out anyone/anything in it's path this past weekend.  The rain started Thursday evening and by Friday morning several inches of snow had begun piling up.  Snow continued all day long with the wind joining the party late afternoon. The storm basically stalled out over the Hill's before starting to weaken late Saturday and beginning to head out over the planes of the state. 

Travel came to a stand still as basically every road in western SD was closed or no advisable travel.  Before it was done, I-90 was closed from Sheridan, WY east to Murdo, SD - a 378 mile stretch.  Many motorist's spent the night in their vehicles along side of, or on the road as emergency crews were unable to reach them.  Downed power lines and down trees/tree limbs along with all those vehicles stuck hampered all rescue and clean up efforts.

As far as life running along normal....not a chance.  Virtually all business was shut down as most towns along the I-90 corridor had "No Travel Permitted" orders issued.  The Governor declared a "Civil Emergency" on Friday.  (That means the Red Cross will come in and pay for motel rooms for citizens and the National Guard is called out to help citizens reach help.  Who knew??!!?)  The two local News stations lost power so when the Emergency Broadcasts would come over the TV, one had no idea what the current emergency situation was as it was just a blank screen.  

Here at the Snow Chateau I believe we caught around the 30" mark of the white stuff.  Winds created mostly 4-5 foot drifts around the house but in the valley toward the shop  that was probably more like 10+ feet.  How does a person ready for this situation?  It's not that difficult really.  First, ensure you are stocked up on essentials.  Wine?  Check.  Beer?  Check.  Coffee?  Check.  Bottled water?  Check.  Dog food?  Check.  Oh yeah, food, bath essentials, lanterns, candles, propane, extra blankets?  Check.  (Things MUST be prioritized!)  Next, fill a bathtub full of water, just in case the electricity goes out so you have bathroom water.  Oh yeah, turn on the battery back-up on the gas fireplace...just in case the electricity goes out so you have A heat source. 

Did a little snow fall?  Just a bit.  Did it get cold?  Not horrible.  Was it simply miserable?  Yes. Yes. Yes.  But when put into perspective, it's just a little hick-up in this game called life.  We live in a snow belt - snow is GOING to fall.  And you just might get snowed in. 

 Mid-morning Friday, our trees were already feeling the effects with many broken limbs, along with a few trees.  By late afternoon, drifts were already forming in the corner of the back deck - the non-windy side of the house.

By Friday evening, snow was packed hard against the back door, making it near impossible for Casey to get out that way.

And this is what I woke up to Saturday morning.  The screen door wouldn't open in the bedroom to take these pic's as the snow was packed in to tight.  (Remember, the back deck is the NON-windy side of the house.)

Back yard, looking out master bath window, opening the garage door.  (When I opened this door to let Casey out, she simply looked up at me with a look saying "Really????  I can't even SEE out this door.  HOW do you expect me to get out???)

The front of the house.  No snow fence up for this storm!

 A few facts from the storm:

• Multiple weather observing systems taken off air by the storm, including NOAA Weather Systems in Rapid and at Terry Peak (above Sturgis/Deadwood).
• Worst October storm on record with 21.5" falling in Rapid City just Friday night.  (http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/worst-october-storm-on-record-wreaks-havoc-on-the-black/article_6ac05cb5-65a9-5c07-bdac-a742b3a7a164.html
• 38,000 homes throughout the Black Hills region were without power from Friday until Sunday.  We were one of the fortunate ones, power only flickered here at the house on Friday, although I believe we did lose power for a while Thursday night.  Thank you Butte Electric!  (http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/record-breaking-blizzard-leaves-more-than-homes-without-power/article_aea8b0b7-e351-5618-8962-6f793028332b.html#.UlH1zzP2oeI.facebook)
• By Sunday evening approximately 15,000 homes had power restored.  (http://ht.ly/pyfIs)
• From 9:30am Oct 4th - 1:30pm Oct 5th, Pennington Cty (Rapid City) Dispatch received 970 calls requesting assistance for anything from stranded motorists to someone in labor, to no electricity for those on oxygen to general welfare checks.  (See above press releases.)
• Late afternoon, Saturday, city officials began urging people to conserve water not knowing how long it would take to recover from the storm.
• Saturday afternoon, hospitals, urgent care/physician facilities, churches, schools, city and county officials began announcing official closures through at least Monday, Oct. 7th.
• Sunday afternoon, livestock loss started being announced.  (http://www.kbhbradio.com/news/october-blizzard-taking-a-toll-on-livestock/article_31e4e98c-2ece-11e3-b05f-0019bb30f31a.html)
• Sunday afternoon,  Pennington County Emergency Management officially announces they are unable to help stranded motorists.  Call 911 if you have a REAL emergency.  (http://www.rcpcem.com/)

By Sunday morning the skies were blue, the clouds were gone, and the wind had died to a breeze and our local snow removing neighbor was out doing thankless work for the subdivision.  Rick worked much of the day to simply get one lane open for residents, taking the time to plow me out (even though I was insistent to him I am fine and can survive just fine as long as necessary - I am at the bottom of the priority list!) all the while taking calls from neighbor's bitching about not being able to get out yet.  Really?  The roads are still closed.  Where you gonna go?

Thanks Rick!  Appreciate it!

My driveway!  I remember it now!

After Rick was so kind to plow me out, I found a short handled, flat nosed garden shovel and went to work.  (The snow shovel broke last year.)  Got the sidewalk dug out, both decks dug out along with the door mats hanging over the rail to dry out, and the camper dug out to put a fresh propane tank on it just in case.  Oh, and while digging the back deck out, I found a pair of flip-flips and my mowing shoes, as they were in a "dry" spot along with a snow shovel I forgot we bought last year.  I still hate that snow shovel.....it's easier to use the garden shovel!  I survived the storm just fine......yes, I was bored putting updates on Facebook regularly, but I was just fine.  Many others, I think, it was a chance for them to realize they can't handle being isolated.