AUSTIN | Misc. Discussions - No Politics

[KevinFromTexas]

We had around 6 1/2 inches in South Austin. Our yard is a bit tricky to measure snowfall amounts because we have a big Oak tree canopy, so whatever snow does get through is not all of it. In lesser snow events, it doesn't even make it through the trees as it didn't last month. I measured 4 1/2 inches on the easement at the street, 5 inches on our patio, which probably got some blow off from the roof, then 6 1/2 inches out front out from under the trees in one spot, and 7 inches in another spot, plus 6 1/2 inches out from under the trees out back. I think it's probably about 6 inches.

We never lost power or had any pipe issues, but our internet shutoff around midnight Tuesday, and I noticed it came back on just a little while ago. They were saying that if you live in an area with an essential service area such as near a fire station or hospital that you might not be in the rolling blackout rotation. We're a mile and a half from South Austin Medical Center, and our fire station is 3/4 of a mile.

I didn't drip our faucets - never have, I just wrap them like crazy. This year, I cut up a pool noodle and fit it around the faucets outside, then wrapped them with some left over R32 insulation I had, then cover that with a towel and bungy cord it. Then to top it off I put a dog kennel bottom around it. For the front one, I do the same, but no dog kennel bottom. That faucet is outside my bedroom window, and I also have a huge ginger plant there that I cover with a tarp every winter, so it stays pretty warm under there. I had to go in there twice to tap the snow off.

My sister and their family are ok in Del Valle. My brother in Southeast Austin, though, lost power on Tuesday and was still without it tonight. They also have gas, but the igniter switch is electric, so they don't have gas either. He also said the water quit dripping in their shower - so they didn't have water earlier today, but it did start flowing again. They're doing ok camping out in their sleeping bags in the living room.

I went out for a walk yesterday and that was quite a sight seeing the snow. I remember the 1985 snow having a snowball fight, building a snowman and my hands freezing in the snow. This was at least as good as that one.