It Doesn't Look Like Much

But it is incredibly cold (16F/-8.8C) with an overnight low of 14F/-10C. Very blustery although minimal snow. Mostly it's been freezing rain and hail with frigid winds. The storm has had a significant and widespread impact. In the Portland area alone there are 150,000 people without power. Trees are down, taking down power lines. It's hard to understand the impact given that it looks so benign. 

Mr WK lives at the central coast where he is currently. They're under an Ice Storm Warning until late tonight. They lost power early this morning and it won't be back on for 3 days. Huge branches of a tree on his property came crashing down on his deck. Really scary. And my son, who lives in SW Portland lost power today for a few hours, but fortunately it came back on.

The people without power are in a really difficult place if they don't have a source of heat because it is so frigid out. I feel very fortunate to have a gas heating fireplace and power. 

A very quick expedition to the frozen courtyard on my way to the garage this morning - the daphne from yesterday is frozen, the pansies, hellebores, and the kale doesn't seem to be affected, just decorated.