Top Photo By: Madison Luster
STUDENTS AND FACULTY EXPERIENCES SNOWMAGEDDON 2021 Story and Spark Page By: Andrew Velarde, Assistant video editor
As the lights flicker on and off you worry about when the next time your power will be on. You huddle next to the fireplace with lots of blankets on so you can remember that feeling of warmth. It has only been a couple of days but you know you never want to experience this same cold again. The only thing you can see outside is the shining snow.
Photo By: Sally Clemmons
All of Texas had a polar vortex hit and it caused massive damages during the week of February 14-20. Millions of people were affected from events such as rolling blackouts, bursting pipes, and the inaccessibility to drive on the roads.
“We didn’t have power from Tuesday to Friday,” senior Jade Ross said. “All of our food went bad from the fridge as well as the freezer, and we couldn’t put stuff in the snow due to wild animals in our neighborhood. No power, hot water, or internet for a long time.”
Photo By: Angelina Jansen
Lots of places in Texas had rolling blackouts which are systemic, temporary power outages that help bring balance to the supply demand of electricity in the market. Families had to deal with very low temperatures which caused Texans trouble because of unpreparedness.
“The extreme cold thrust us into a survival mode that many Texans rarely experience,” teacher Beth Huse said. “The quest to stay warm, ration power sources and constant monitoring of property for issues ranging from water freezing, frozen closed doors/windows, and keeping our cars from freezing, became all consuming at times. I was struck by the fact that once again when mother nature gives us extreme beauty, it comes with the potential for great peril and danger.”
Photo By: Angelina Jansen
While at home students were given assignments throughout the week on canvas. With the sporadicness of power teachers also gave leeway on due dates as well to help students that had no power and internet.
“We weren’t exactly prepared for this week because we didn’t think we’d lose power,” freshman Kayla McCoy said. When we did, we had to go outside in negative temperatures and chop wood to use in our fireplace due to the electricity being off. We made some of our food in the open flame.”
Photo By: Angelina Jansen
The inaccessibility to electricity lots of families also dealt with food spoiling. Even if they were able to go to a grocery store most of the time the shevleves were empty.
“While the power was out, we couldn’t cook anything so in order to have hot food me and my family walked the 2.5 miles to seven 11 just so we could have hot food,” freshman Howard Blackburn said. “We walk 4 times there and back, and their hot dogs are not bad.”
Photo By: Laura Watters
Power problems could also be stemmed from Texas being on their own power grid. Which allowed for cheaper prices, but also less safety in cases like these.
“It was a teaching moment for our family; learning to make due with what we had and didn't have,” faculty Tee Derfelt said. “It was challenging with the house being so cold, no water, and no power. But, you can't deny the beauty of the snow, it was amazing. We are thankful we got through it, with little damage and was able to see the positive in it by helping others and quality time with family.”
Photo By: Tee Derfelt
Credits:
Photo By: Madison Luster