Notes from a powerless, showerless editor of a country newspaper:1. Over the past 22 years of my existence in Marion, Kentucky, nothing has come close to the disaster that has unfolded this week. Certainly, the powerful wind storms that wreaked destruction on Tolu, Crayne, Mattoon and Tribune over the past couple of decades were costly and devastating to those who endured their wrath. But this winter storm that hit just before midnight Monday has left the entire county reeling in discomfort and loss.
2. Some people are continuing on with their normal lives, but a vast number are still without power, struggling to keep pipes from freezing and limbs from crashing onto their homes. Perils remain and only the respite of predicted 50-degree temperatures today (Thursday) may quell the storm's grasp. Pictured today is Janet Brantley walking her dog. It looks so peaceful as she strolls down Bellville Street in front of the Marion United Methodist Church. The sparkling ice on the trees creates a backdrop of winter wonderland, but it's been far from pristine and enjoyable to reside in this picture.
3. At my home, we're still without electricity. It came on for about 15 minutes Wednesday night, but went off again. Running out of candles. Food from the fridge is on the screened porch. I stuck a chair in front of the flimsy door to keep the coyotes out of the grub. Yes, they are that bold and hungry. I don't live in town.
4. Critters are starving. I've watched deer browse for morsels under every tree and bush they can find. Some have wandered into town looking for anything to keep them alive.
5. Staying alive has been the primary focus of many families in rural areas where they are now into day four without power. Lots of folks fled town early in the storm. My family sought refuge in Tennessee with the children's grandparents. Motels in Eddyville and Paducah are packed. The storm line stopped only a few miles south of Marion. In Princeton and Eddyville there was little trouble from the ice. The Ohio River counties and Webster and Hopkins seem to have taken the brunt of the storm.
6. There's a good chance power will be restored to many more people today. The electricity company Kentucky Utilities has gotten most of Marion re-lit. However, there are still some in the city without power this morning. In the county, it could be a day or more yet before everyone has electricity as right-of-ways will have to be cut out and lines repaired.
7. Thousands of trees were destroyed and damaged by the ice. Oaks that were around when the county was formed 1842 are no longer standing thanks to this powerful force of Mother Nature. The cleanup will take weeks or months. Some scars will last much longer.
8. The printed edition of The Press finally hit the street late Wednesday night. It went on sale at newsstands early Thursday morning. Working without power has been a test in our resourcefulness.
9. If you have photographs from the storm, we'd like for you share them with us. We will try to post many of them on the Web. Send them to pressnews@the-press.com. If you can, save them at 72 resolution.
