Buffalo & Snow...two weeks ago...

Buffalo'ites were in for an October suprise as Friday the 13th turned out to be a nightmare as a heavy snowstorm hit us. Came back from work as usual on Thursday (infact did not carry a jacket) and seldom thought there would be snow in October. Around 9pm the evening rains turned into snow pellets and eventually into heavy snow and the wind was horrific. The temperature began to dip and it reached 34 F and felt like 25 F (-3 C). Well at these times what really saves you is the heater and that was in full blast! Then to my dismay the power went out (very unsual in this side of the world) at around 11pm and peeked out to see that it was a blackout (not a good sight). Somehow managed to find all my winter clothings and two thick comforters and went to bed!

Woke up on Friday morning and still no power (first time in my stint at US where there has been no power thru the night!). Opened the door...and there it was ... holy macro...the pretty white snow had piled up to 2 1/2 feet!!!! Yupiee...can't go to work! My walkway and the apartment roads were filled with snow and there was no way I could step out of my apartment. Goes without saying the place was so damn cold, slept for another 2-3 hours. All I needed after I woke up was a hot coffee, but no power meant - no heat, no hot water, no stove, no micro wave!!! Thought of the Starbucks close by and even contemplated walking. Then realized, they would be closed if there is no power. The apartment office mentioned that they'd not be able to plough the snow out as it is heavy and they are expecting help. Heard most of the roads were closed and the thruway was shutdown for about 105 miles. Apparently 350,000 people were without power! Finally later in the night there were two bull dozers to clean up the snow in my apartment complex. I shoveled the snow in my walkway to give some space to walk, cleaned up the car, which was completely submerged in snow.

Luckily power was restored in some places about 20 miles south and had a friend out there. So it was a forced get-together and was so nice to get into a cozy heated place. While driving I noticed that there were no traffic lights, no street lights, fallen trees...quite a sight, quite an experience. The power was finally restored on Monday and it took more than a week in many places. Well just thought its been a while since I blogged and lemme post this one...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/10/13/ny.snow.ap/index.html