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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsThis is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
Good morning, DU. Once again, I am happy to report that things in Laelths world in the Free State of Van Zandt (East Texas) are not too bad.
The temperature is currently 25 degrees with a high of 28 expected today. Our last day above freezing was Sunday, Feb. 14. Current weather forecasts predict that our next day above freezing will be Saturday, Feb. 20 for a total of six straight days of sub-freezing temperaturea rare occurrence in these parts. Needless to say, we have no water due to the widespread freezing of underground pipes, but thats our biggest irritant. Otherwise, we are OK.
We only got about an inch of snow yesterday. So far this week, about 11 inches have fallen here, but some of it has packed down, and some of it has sublimated. At the moment, we have a hard-packed, crunchy 5 inches on the ground. The minivan, thus, is not stuck. We can still get out if need be (though theres really nowhere for us to go).
The main source of our relief is that we have only had one, momentary loss of power in the past 30 hours. Were warm. We can microwave food and, given that we have internet access, we are much less bored. No clue whether we will lose power again. No promises have been made by ERCOT, but we have a half a tank of gas and can still use the minivan for heat if the need arises.
There are reports of massive water infrastructure damage all over the state. Our own RV park shows evidence of big, slushy patches of snow that indicate water line breaks. No clue when water will return. We have a good bit of bottled water left, however, so the lack of water is merely an inconvenience, as opposed to a source of serious concern at this time.
Many, many thanks to you all for the good vibes, well-wishes, suggestions, and offers of assistance. We will continue to update. Were not out of the woods yet.
-Laelth
Previous This is bad. threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625

soothsayer
(38,601 posts)Laelth
(32,017 posts)
-Laelth
gab13by13
(27,806 posts)I guess you can't let your water trickle a little bit since you have no water. My dad had an addition put on his house and his water lines weren't well insulated or buried. When it got zero his pipes froze in a crawl space. Here's the deal, I hope you are already aware of this, the pipes leak when the weather warms up. Hopefully there is no water in your lines so they shouldn't leak. I would, to be safe, crack your cold water spigots just a little bit. Be aware of where your water shutoff valve is coming into your house just in case you have a leak and have to shut your water off.
Sending positive vibes that you don't have any leaks. God bless and as the Buddhists say, this too will pass.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 18, 2021, 12:18 PM - Edit history (1)
I actually dried out my trailer completely before the freeze. My faucets are still cracked a bit just in case water returns unexpectedly.
-Laelth
turbinetree
(26,034 posts)stay safe..............
UpInArms
(52,658 posts)and are warm ... the rest becomes a bit more manageable
Thanks for the update
niyad
(123,432 posts)vibes for safety and protection, strength and endurance. Please keep us posted.
gademocrat7
(11,432 posts)Hope Saturday will be sunny and warmer. Take care.
AwakeAtLast
(14,315 posts)My sister is in south Austin, and somehow she never lost power. They did lose water yesterday.
So glad you are surviving! I hope things improve soon!
FailureToCommunicate
(14,468 posts)our son near Dallas (The Colony) are also encouraging...now that the management has let them back into their building (flooding, frozen pipes, alarms that wouldn't shut off...)
Two more days till above freezing temps they say.
Hang in there.
CaptainTruth
(7,563 posts)Joinfortmill
(17,879 posts)WinstonSmith4740
(3,285 posts)And very happy things are getting a little more tolerable. But it sure has shut down that "Secede" movement, hasn't it? When Cruz decides to come back from Cancun. I hope enough people can get to the airport to give him the "Welcome Back" he deserves. Since the electricity is out, you folks should have a decent supply of rotten fruit and vegetables. I coach softball, so if anyone needs to learn how to throw a strike, let me know.
Peacetrain
(23,889 posts)
Laelth
(32,017 posts)
-Laelth
VA_Jill
(11,822 posts)I still have not heard from my friend in the panhandle. Don't know if I will, it's a combination of she doesn't communicate much any more + things are probably pretty bad for her right now. Still keeping everyone in prayer.
PCIntern
(27,293 posts)We were worried here...
Send our best to Ted Cruz...wait...hes in the Islands? Oh. Ok.
So glad you have electricity and that you and your daughter are doing better. There will be so much work to do there once the freezing lets up and it sounds like it will let up soon. I know you will continue to take care. Thanks for the update.
Mister Ed
(6,579 posts)You should expect the water pipes in your RV to be frozen and cracked. When water service is restored, your cracked pipes may start gushing, and damage the RV. You'll want to shut of the main water inlet for the RV to prevent that.
Jay25
(420 posts)Thanks for the update.
RainCaster
(12,712 posts)
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Its nice to be able to have better than an Extended 1x connection. The lack of internet for the first couple of days made our situation a lot more dire. We felt extremely isolated and vulnerable.
-Laelth
RainCaster
(12,712 posts)

BobTheSubgenius
(11,977 posts)It would seem that the most dire perils are over, but it make take a lot longer to repair all of the water leaks that are already visible, and probably more to come.
Still, as you say, some inconvenience pales drastically in the face of possible death. We'll hold good thoughts for that to happen.
I have a step-niece in Corpus Christi, and they are also without water. Temperature continues to hover around freezing.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)
-Laelth
judesedit
(4,543 posts)Many good vibes being sent your way
Laelth
(32,017 posts)
-Laelth
judesedit
(4,543 posts)Should probably prepare ahead just in case, if possible for you.
SleeplessinSoCal
(10,043 posts)Who do you see playing you?
Laelth
(32,017 posts)
I would settle for Martin Freeman.

-Laelth
SleeplessinSoCal
(10,043 posts)I'd love a peek.
NJCher
(39,877 posts)It's another to read these firsthand experiences.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)For the first couple of really scary days, the lack of internet access was very disturbing. Things are much better now.
-Laelth
know.
TigressDem
(5,126 posts)Hope things continue to improve.