It’s been a pretty mild winter for us here in the U.P., so far. We’ll continue to have some snow through April, and it’s not at all unlikely that we’ll still have some chunks of ice floating in Lake Superior in June.
I’m not complaining. The city keeps our streets ploughed. Our heating works well where we live. A few inches of fresh snow last week looks pretty from my window. Yesterday, hubs and I went for a drive just for fun before pulling into a favorite restaurant for supper.
Although I have no weather troubles where I live, storms are weighing on my mind. As far as I know, none of my family or close friends have been hard hit by the tornadoes and flooding across the South. My mom and brother are safe. But my hometown of Memphis has had more than 14 inches of rain. I’ve been scrolling Facebook and gasping over photos of flooded roadways and neighborhoods — some in areas very familiar to me. Indian Meadows, a neighborhood a couple of miles from where we lived before moving to the U.P. has significant flooding. I still have some friends who live there. Selmer Tennessee, a town of about 4,400 people in West Tennessee was particularly hard hit. At least five people are confirmed dead there. Large sections of town were flattened by tornadoes.
There was some significant damage to buildings at the small, Christian university in Jackson, TN, where my brother and his wife teach. There were evacuations, but fortunately no one was hurt. My cousin and her husband who live not too far from Selmer had minor damage. Their power was out for a long while, but fortunately they have a generator to keep them safe and warm.
We’ve lived up north for 16 years and we’re happy here. But, Tennessee will always be home to me. Checking the Weather Channel and Facebook, and saying lots of prayers, is how I’m staying close right now to my kith and kin and holding them close in my heart.
There’s no physical storm in my WIP, but there are some family and personal storms. I’m trying to draw on that underlying anxiety in writing a few scenes in the book, which is moving slower than I’d like. But, I am making progress.
Please share in comments if you live in storm-affected areas, or have family who do. It’s hard feeling helpless and distant in times like these.
Chicks on the Case 
Oh geez. I am so afraid of all these storms. Fortunately I don’t live in tornado country. Thank you for mentioning Jackson. My boss lives there, so you reminded me to check on her when I get to work
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Hestia, holding good thoughts for your boss. Little brother and his family have a storm shelters under the under the garage. Great for tornadoes; no help with flooding!
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We’ve had a couple storms that have knocked out power. One recent one had hail – a friend of mine has a broken windshield on his brand-new SUV to prove it. There was a tornado here a few weeks ago. Fortunately, we have escaped most of it.
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Great to hear, Liz! Sorry about the windshield. That’s a pain.
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Vickie, as I type the snow is coming down outside my kitchen window. It’s back. Again. Hoping it doesn’t reach 2 inches, b/c that triggers the plow guy and it’s $100 a pop for our fun driveway. Hoping the tiny daffodil shoots I spotted yesterday will hang in (they always do). On the upside, it’s good writing weather–or at least it should be. I have invested in one of those “happy lights” to offer a shot of sunshine. (Do they work? Not really sure so far.) People here are resigned and a little grumpy–but to be honest, we can’t really complain about a dustin’ when others are suffering extreme weather. Hats off to local meteorologists throughout the country, and may they keep their very important jobs that keep people safe.
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Lisa, I have one of those lights that emulates sunlight and is supposed to help your mood. Haven’t used it in ages. Maybe I should unpack it! Hope you don’t get a ploughable snow!
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Our sump pump died and our basement flooded during the torrential rains last week, necessitating a $1000 plumbing bill and AC duct replacement we haven’t even gotten a bill for yet. But I know that we’re a lot better off than people in western NC who lost homes.
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Tom, sorry about the expensive repairs. But, so glad you’re okay!
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Driving home from Florida yesterday, we went through some areas of Kentucky and Southern Indiana dealing with awful flooding conditions. We have standing water in our yard, but that’s no big deal.
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J.C., glad y’all made it home safely. Hope the sun dries your yard soon!
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I don’t have family in those areas, but I’ve been watching closely still. So many people in harms way. It’s certainly scary.
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Thanks, Mark! Thankful my mom’s heat hasn’t gone out.
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Like Mark, I also don’t have family and friends in those areas, but my heart goes out to those affected… Also sending you hugs, Vickie.
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Thanks, Jen! I’m still shocked that Selmer is so devastated.
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Hope all continues to be well with your family.
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Thanks, El! My mom worries, so I hope it’s cleared on out for her.
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So scary what’s been happening with weather of late, all over the world. We can get 10 inches in a day here in HIlo with no ill effects, because the volcanic soil/rock is so porous. Sending love to all those affected by the recent storms in Tennessee and environs. Yikes.
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Thanks, Leslie! Hope all the scary weather moves on out for a long time!
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Our biggest weather event is the now-annual devastating hailstorm around March 23! This year I was prepared: we finally got our garage so that a car fits in it!
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Hail can be an expensive repair! Glad you garage is ready!
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Very scary about all the storms. Hope that everyone stays safe or gets the assistance that is needed! You’re right–it’s hard not to feel helpless.
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