CODA: With sincere sympathy to any and all Austinites and Texans who suffered any kind of hardship as a result of our winter storm
It is almost 11:00 a.m., the sun is coming out, the temperature is nearly 32 degrees (still an unbelievably freezing-cold 31 degrees at the airport), our roads are beginning to thaw out and our city is finally beginning to dig itself out of a fierce winter storm that buried our homes and yards under a phenomenal one quarter of an inch (you read it right: one quarter of an inch) of snow — or less.
It has been so bad here in Austin, Texas, that one has to almost laugh when one hears all the moans and groans of people in the North-East when they are hit by a little winter storm.
Fortunately, the Austin American-Statesman tells us that “With the sun out, temperatures are beginning to creep back up” and that we “should get above freezing by noon, and the roads will begin thawing out,” and that by tomorrow, “roads should be clear again and temperatures will reach a high of 65. Sunday is expected to hit 70 degrees.”
However, Austinites brace yourselves because “Another cold front is expected Monday, with highs in the mid-50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s …Tuesday’s high will be in the low-to-mid 40s, with lows in the low-to-mid 20s.” “
The Statesman also tells us that “The icy conditions overnight caused most school districts to cancel classes today, and other businesses and organizations have also closed,” and “Several departures and arrivals were canceled or delayed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport” and of the many roads and bridges closed.
Also that Austin police responded to about 250 crashes on icy roads since last night.
Fortunately, and all satire aside, none of the accidents were fatal and it is hoped that none resulted in serious injuries. Any injuries and property damaged are regretted.
Also all satire aside, it is only once every few years that beautiful Austin is hit by a bad winter storm. We do not have tire chains, snow shovels, sand and salt for our driveways, we are not used to driving on icy roads, so we tend to view things through different snow goggles.
Finally, we do empathize with those up North who have to put up with much worse stuff once or twice every year.
Lead photo: The view of a snow-covered landscape, the morning after the huge winter storm
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.