Major Snow Storm in Denver This Year? (how much, house)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

It was calming unless/until you had to go to work.

I did have to go to work. I was at work. How do I know? I had City Data posts that day....Ooops.

[Katiana]

I was at work when the blizzard started, and our boss, in his wisdom, said everyone without a 4WD could go home. That left me and a few other people. Finally one of the other docs said "pittnurse needs to get home, too". So they closed the office.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

It was calming unless/until you had to go to work.

Whilst the snow made everything look lovely, it almost ruined the first family Christmas that I was due to have in over 10 years as my parents were trapped in LaGuardia for 2 days trying to get a flight to Denver and then on to Santa Fe. I missed my flight to Santa Fe and had to drive down and back on the day of the 2nd blizzard last year. So yes, stunning photos and your neighbourhood looks amazing, but I NEVER want to experience a winter like that again.

[nelumbo]

The storm was not anticipated to drop this much snow

Actually, the forecast models were pretty aggressive with the snow by Tuesday morning (24 hrs before the snow started), iirc. I don't remember what the earlier forecasts were, but two feet not unexpected.

The snow *did* ruin my holiday - I was supposed to fly home on Thursday night, but didn't get out until the 26th, completely missing Christmas with my family. This was the fourth major snow (2-3 ft) for me in five years (previous three in Massachusetts) and I have developed an extreme distaste for large snowfall events.

[Katiana]

Our neighbor girl could not get home from college in Rochester, NY until the 26th. Fortunately, a friend from Connecticut took her in for the duration.

[denverian]

Well, I think it was a bit much. 6" would have created more than enough winter wonderland for me! I'd be fine if we never had over an inch at a time.

Of course the big problem was that my streets were never plowed, and with the following snowstorms, I had two months of barely being able to get out of my neighborhood - and once the deep ice ruts had formed in the street, it was even worse. I ended up having to replace my oile pan! And then they never cleared the sidewalks in the parks here at Stapleton, making them useless as well for many weeks. If this city could actually clear the snow from streets and sidewalks, the whole ordeal wouldn't have been so bad.

[kristenfromdenver]

I do have seroius sympathy for those stranded at the airports or not able to make it home for the holidays. But, for those of us living here and already near family the blizzard was truly such a spectacle that you couldn't help but make the most of it. Compared to other weather problems other people experience (tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes) this was really just a chance to slow down for a few days, drink some hot chocolate and have a good excuse to stay home. I guess I tend to just make the best of what I'm given.

I think the city will be better prepared this year.

[DenverAztec]

Exactly, Kristen, the old saying, "take time to stop and smell the roses" comes to mind. As soon as the snow stopped falling I ran out and shot the above photos. I helped push out at least five cars, build 1/2 a snow man, ate at Benny's Mexican down the road (most of the employee live in the area and walked to work), but most of all just apprecitated how it transformed the environment and the people. Those that were out in it were excited and all talkative. Kind of like after an accident or if you have ever been in an earthquake, everyone is asking one another if they are okay and saying WOW did you see that, or do you believe what just happened. Yes, I had a horrible time driving my car once the plows dug out the few streets that they did, but we did learn from it and I think the city will be better prepared for another storm. My cousin, a fireman, just learned last month how to operate the airport snowremoval machines. I believe that the plan is to teach as many city workers as much as possible to keep the city functioning. I have not looked into what all is happening with other aspects of what the city is doing for the next potential storm, but I know that when one does happen, and it will, I will again appreciate the beauty of it no matter how cumbersome the few following days will be.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

I do have seroius sympathy for those stranded at the airports or not able to make it home for the holidays. But, for those of us living here and already near family the blizzard was truly such a spectacle that you couldn't help but make the most of it. Compared to other weather problems other people experience (tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes) this was really just a chance to slow down for a few days, drink some hot chocolate and have a good excuse to stay home. I guess I tend to just make the best of what I'm given.

I think the city will be better prepared this year.

Originally Posted by DenverAztec

Exactly, Kristen, the old saying, "take time to stop and smell the roses" comes to mind. As soon as the snow stopped falling I ran out and shot the above photos. I helped push out at least five cars, build 1/2 a snow man, ate at Benny's Mexican down the road (most of the employee live in the area and walked to work), but most of all just apprecitated how it transformed the environment and the people. Those that were out in it were excited and all talkative. Kind of like after an accident or if you have ever been in an earthquake, everyone is asking one another if they are okay and saying WOW did you see that, or do you believe what just happened. Yes, I had a horrible time driving my car once the plows dug out the few streets that they did, but we did learn from it and I think the city will be better prepared for another storm. My cousin, a fireman, just learned last month how to operate the airport snowremoval machines. I believe that the plan is to teach as many city workers as much as possible to keep the city functioning. I have not looked into what all is happening with other aspects of what the city is doing for the next potential storm, but I know that when one does happen, and it will, I will again appreciate the beauty of it no matter how cumbersome the few following days will be.

Anyone who thinks the city will be better prepared "next time" has not lived here very long. Mayor Pena almost got recalled 20 some yrs ago for not getting the streets plowed. The same things tend to happen again and again. Same book, different chapter.

And you two were obviously lucky you didn't have to go to work (as I did) or have family coming in, as our neighbors did. Think of being in college and being stranded. My neighbor was lucky someone could take her home. There were people stranded for days. Once we could get out and stores were open again, the common question to those of us who had kids away at college was: "Did everyone get home OK?" I agree with making the best of a situation, but do have some empathy for others who weren't at home when the storm hit. Yes, kristen, you did say that, but I don't think you grasped the whole picture, when you said "I tend to just make the best of what I'm given". You were at home drinking hot chocolate, not in some strange airport with no way to get home.

[kristenfromdenver]

Exactly right. It would be horrible, horrible, horrible to be stranded, but some of us did enjoy it, that's all I'm saying. Different people had different experiences with it. The fact that it was horrible for some people does not take away from the fact that it was fun for me! There are more than two sides to the story. And, in the scheme of things, I would rather be stuck in a blizzard than have my home damaged or lives lost due to hurricanes, earthquakes or tornados.