Nial's Called Out on Emergency!

Ahh! The weather here is insane! Since mid-December we have had non-stop turbulent weather. I think every government worker, true commuter and avid snow-sportsman are probably about to pull all their hair out. In the beginning, there was snow. And the snow was heavy. Then the Alaskan storm also brought us to the single digits causing perma-icy roads and even a bus collision that resulted in the two buses involved to hang suspended about I-5 {pic on left.} Now there is a jet stream from Hawaii (normal for us, it helps create the mild winter. Its known as The Pineapple Express actually), which brings warm wet weather. So I know you are all smart people and can probably understand WHY these two storm systems occurring one after the other would cause a serious problem.

{Pic on right is of Snoqualamie Falls, check the video though-- its way cooler :) value="http://www.komonews.com/v/?i=37241889"}
The snowpack is now melting, which only adds to the amount of water being littered all over Western Washington. Therefore: landslides, avalanches, record flooding, major flooding, urban flooding and general discomfort. There are already a few towns in Pierce County that have been completely evacuated. All passes are closed (again, the quick snowfall made them impassable 2 wks ago, now avalanches have covered both Hwy 2 and I-90). And the worst part???
Nial’s job requires their crews to be on Emergency Response. They don’t HAVE to go but they’re encouraged and make overtime, SO: Yesterday, he found out at 9am that he was On-Call for Emergency Response because of the heavy snowfall in Spokane, roofs are collapsing. Two hours later he was gone! So he’s in Spokane shoveling snow off of schools and other government/important buildings. Everything, hotel, food, transportation is paid for. So quite nice but now quite complicated because like aforementioned; the passes are now closed and they have (in my opinion) a greater need here on the WEST SIDE OF THE CASCADES.

{Pic on left is from Concrete, WA were a house slid into another}

I just hope he doesn’t get stranded for too long. Nial is gone until this Sunday or next Sunday so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. At this point so far, he has complained of the cold (given) and the lack of a hot tub (hilarious.) We’ll see if he comes back with all toes and without falling off a rooftop…

{Pic on the left is from Spokane where Nial is}