I have been watching the news this moring and it looks like Washington state along with other areas are catching some bad winter storms. Just wondering how everyone is doing.

Stay in as much as you can and stay warm.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Portland,Or. set a record for snowfall:

http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/oregon/stories/NW_122208WXN_portland_snow_LJ.6bdfc14.html

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Cheers,Bob

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a
Lexington,Ky.
It's Winter!

Bob this is what I heard on the radio yesterday. Sure some rough weather.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Wow! Sure hope you guys stay warm and safe as you can up in that area. In reference to the part about "vehicles are required to have chains" that really hit home, In this state chains are illegal, but if we had an onslaught of horrific weather Im sure the ban could be lifted. I remember back in the 60's here when we had some really bad snows , dad used chains on his car.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

We're thinking of you guys, and I hope you have plenty of energy or resources for heat!

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

Hi everyone...thanks for your concern. We do have a wind storm due in late this afternoon, but that doesn't sound as bad (or I'm just getting used to one storm after another) as some of the other stormy weather we've had over the past few weeks. My snow is almost entirely gone and it's so nice to have temps above freezing and streets that are easy to drive on again.

I hope everyone had a good New Year's Eve and will enjoy today as well.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

We just got 4 new inches of heavy wet snow last night. But thank goodness the temps have warmed up. We were below freezing for over 2 weeks straight which is highly unusual for us even on the eastern side of the Cascades. Will put my zone 6 plants to test surely this winter.

Jeff

Patrick - Yeah its really winter and you are getting too much...hope its better soon.

And speaking of the mention of chains...brings back memories also of long ago traveling across country from Califonia to Penna we had just come home to the U.S. from Okinawa - my DH and I had to stop and were stranded in Little America where we finally had to resort to chains... in the 60's...yeah that was something.

Here in CT we had very high winds bringing down trees, snow, ice, then flooding and more snow. Its icy cold out there and the birds are really puffed up when they come to the feeders. Some morning doves actually went into the heated birdbath - wonder how that felt coming out!

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

No...not another snow storm - now we're really getting innundated with rain. The jet stream has brought warm temps (low 50's) and LOTS of rain from the vicinity of Hawaii. And wind! All this is combining to melt the heavy snow levels sitting in the Cascade Mtns. and all our rivers are beginning to flood. I'm well above the flood areas, but Interstate 5 is closed between Seattle and Portland...all trains are cancelled...people in some towns have been told to evacuate before they're flooded...all 3 highways that cross the Cascades between Western and Eastern Washington are closed. Pretty much the only way in or out of Seattle is by flying. The rain should end on Sunday.

Meanwhile, my hummers are happy with their fresh jug of nectar, which hangs beneath the roof overhang on my back porch.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

The Weather Channel was talking about how much rain you were getting and the roads being closed,etc.

However, it's good to hear you are keeping those Hummingbirds happy.

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Cheers,Bob
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b
It's Winter!

Y'all are really taking a beating this winter. Good to know you are above the flood zone. Stay safe and if you have to be out in this weather be careful.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

I, too, was listening to the weather and hearing about the rains and the flooding in the Pacific northwest. This happens in our region, too, (western PA) usually in the spring if there is heavy snow followed by heavy rain. Anyone in the low lying valleys can be at risk, and sometimes our major highways get flooded.

I'm so glad to hear that you're above the flood zone, Patrick. What a mess!

Well, if misery loves company, here are some flood photos of Pittsburgh from Ivan. This is by no means the worst flooding we've ever had. Some of the photos are hard to comprehend if you're not familiar with Pittsburgh, but others are totally self explanatory. We are a very hilly area, so there isn't a big flood plain. Most folks have enough elevation to avoid the floodwaters, but God help you if you're in a creek valley, or happen to live or work along the rivers. Also, you can see some major highways flooded in these photos.

http://www.kruckewitt.com/