An Historical Ice Storm

Already in 2009 I have witnessed 2 Historical events. The first one being our new President the second is being called a Historical National Disaster.9 years ago we had what many called the worst ice storm ever for our area.I had no power for almost 4 days and many others were not so lucky. When our weather forecasters were telling us to be prepared , that this might be worse than 2000, I thought they were all crazy, no way it could happen again and be worse, no way ! Yes way,it can and it did !

(In the slideshow above I'm trying to show the tops on the trees in the woods, it looks like a Tornado has came through and topped everyone. So many trees were down in the woods we can actually see through them now. ***Imagine trying to walk through the pasture below with 1 & 1/2" of ice on each blade of grass, it was tuff, the dogs could not do it.)

Just our Electric Company (Craighead Electric) alone had 6,000 poles down not to mention lines down everywhere too.

If you have ever been in a ice storm I'm sure you know what I mean by hearing gun shots going off. For 2 nights and 2 days we heard trees and tree limbs snapping, bursting & falling from the weight of the ice. Every night I could not sleep just imagining I would not have any trees left , most of which I had planted from tiny seedlings years ago and pampered every since. I would lay in bed at night and wonder what would be left, and what the squirrels were doing as the trees they were living in where falling from the weight of the ice. I wondered what the deer, coyotes, fox, rabbits and other critters in the woods with the explosions all falling trees and limbs and where were they getting any shelter from the falling debris. Not to mention worry about the dogs I'm sure some people still had tied up to a tree.

The morning after I seen birds flying around as if they were lost, I'm sure because their homes had been destroyed. I seen a Eagle flying over, I'm sure had lost its home too.

(Front Yard)

We had to cut path from our door to our shop. Then Chuck & my brother had to use chainsaws to clear the driveway and our road to get into town. Everyone was without power, our home town and every town around.We could not get any gas for 24 hours and then we had to wait in lines for a very long time. Everything was at a stand still. As I walked around looking at all the devastation everything was total silence except for falling limbs, I have never heard anything so quite.

(Road to my drive)

My lowest point was the first day, no power, no phone, thinking 6 weeks with no power, no work, I lost at least 5 trees in my yard (more on our land) and all the other trees were topless, none went undamaged....and then it happened....cell phone towers went down ! Yep that was my lowest point. Chuck was out clearing roads, hooking up Generators and my cell phone is OUT. I know of all the things to do with out this might seem crazy but this was my life line to all my friends and family. My only communication for the next 24 hours was I could send a text but it took about 1 hour, when I was able to receive a phone call I was so excited just their someone's voice.

Part of the yard

My Bradford pear, it split into 9 years ago, then came back out and got so big and full. Again spilt into.

Road to my drive,note the power lines Chuck had to prop up on a stick! This was day 2.


The frozen pasture, you could hardly walk through it.

I'm so thankful that so many Electric workers from so many other states who came in so quickly to help restore the lines. Thanks to them we and so many others now have power, I don't know if I could have made it 5 more weeks. There are still quite a few without power but I feel confident they will be restored within the next week. One good thing that came out of this, we have firewood to last for years and years. ;)
Now I'm going to go hug my dryer and TV. ;)