Today the sun is out, the 2-inch sheet of ice is covered by a dusting of snow and the thermometer is struggling to get above 15 deg. F. Our electricity flickered a few times last night. That wasn't much of an inconvenience.
As it warms up this morning, we will start to see the school children emerge from their homes that are by now infected with "cabin fever". About 300 schools are closed again today in the Ozarks.
All across northern Arkansas, it is much worse. Our precip at Mountain View, Missouri, came mostly as sleet. South of here it came as freezing rain adhering to trees and power lines. Over 100,000 homes are without electricity in Arkansas. Some major transmission lines were damaged. It will be weeks, not days, before power is restored to everyone. It is reminiscent of Springfield, Missouri, in 2007.
Emergency shelters are open. Churches are mobilizing. Electrical workers from all over the Midwest are headed to the Natural State. In a few days volunteer chainsaw crews will begin the cleanup. It is the worst of times for those in the midst of the storm, but many people will demonstrate their best.
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