»» Bell's Cove Road around noon, 19 February 2004.

The Big Blow

Well ... the big blow of '04 is behind us, but the cleanup will take quite some time.

The few of us who live in Bell's Cove are among the lucky ones. Although we can't go anywhere, we have power. We are warm, can cook and read, have a shower, can talk on the phone, can send email, and most important of all ... we don't have to worry about frozen pipes.

Our little road is completely clogged by drifting snow; so we are pretty much isolated. Yesterday, the son of one of our neighbours struggled down from the highway to check on his mother and his horses. But it was very hard slogging even for a fit young guy.

I hear on the radio that the 911 number has been triaged. Calls are assessed by a paramedic and then some are referred to a doctor. If it is determined the person needs immediate attention they then figure out how to get there. A combination of a snowmobile and a sled has been most successful in getting people from their houses to the highway. But this depends on a snowplough being able to clear a path on the highway for the ambulance to get through.

This morning the wind has stopped its relentless howl. The sun is so bright and warm that I've opened my kitchen door to let the sun stream in. But it's all an illusion, the snow drifts around the house are in control and dictate I stay indoors.

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