So Much $#@& Snow!

If anyone was following the weather forecast for Northern New-Brunswick (not that any of my readers would have a reason to), you'd know that there was a huge storm coming our way.

The storm is still happening outside. But I can clearly say this. This wasn't the biggest storm we've had in accumulation. Far from it... however, this was the worst storm we've had due to numerous other factors added to the snow fall, such as wind and flurries, but mostly due to the irresponsibility of the municipal plows/snow removal services of getting the plows out only early in the evening when they should've been out several hours before.

The classic administrative policies state that we (management) have the obligation to show up if we can make it there safely. If you're facing a 5 foot snow bank in the street, you can turn around. I was able to make it to the office without too much trouble this morning. The visibility was worst than the snow on the roads at that time.

End of day, time to go back home... one problem... plows are just starting to do their jobs. I still get out to see if I can make it home. I got stuck about two blocks away from where I live. Two great guys came to help. While pushing and pulling, someone was walking from the corner where I had to go and told us to just turn around. He was saying there were snow banks 6 feet high in the street. Once out, I circled a street that was barely open, but safe and realized that the 6 feet high gust accumulations were pretty understated... I estimate they were 7-8 feet high.

So I turn around and go back to the office. Stéphanie was home, but I couldn't get there at all (I have a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire coupe... very low body). Two hours later, I had enough and decided to risk it... with luck the plows would've passed on our street, or at least have had enough traffic to have two tracks I could use.

For risking it, I was risking it. The main roads were cleared, but none of the other roads were cleared at all. There were two tracks and decided to plow my way through... not a good idea. I got stuck about 100 feet from the intersection. I had a small shovel and a lot of determination. After a little bit of determination, I got a little bit of momentum and got to the last intersection before the apartement. Stuck again.

But I was close to home. I called Stéphanie and she came to my rescue with a shovel like a Warrior with a broadsword. She started digging, I was moving my car back and forth. In the meantime, a guy came out of a house near where we were. His truck was already started and he was carrying something. He opened his truck door, dropped what he was carrying and glanced at us. Without hesitation, he grabbed a shovel from his truck bad and came to help. About 150 feet away was 'safety'—not a lot of snow, and a nice trackset. With his help and words of wisdom, we made it out and made it home one hour after I left the office... which usually takes about 5 minutes.

Thank you to the three good samaritans that came to my help. Thank you so very much Stéphanie (my love) for your warrior spirit. And finally, $#@& you, City of Bathurst snow removal services for your inaptitude to act and your irresponsibility, creating a life endangering situation to hundreds of people.