Sign of the times: In Bethesda, Md., a Starbucks breaks some bad news. Ice is in short supply in many places where the power is out.
Sign of the times: In Bethesda, Md., a Starbucks breaks some bad news. Ice is in short supply in many places where the power is out.
For about 2.7 million people across mid-Atlantic and west to Ohio it's Day 3 without power.
Friday's "land hurricane" — technically known as a derecho — may be long gone, but it is certainly not forgotten. Crews, many brought in from states well outside the affected region, continue to work on restoring power. But utilities are warning it could be next weekend before everyone is back on the grid.
So with temperatures again in the 90s today across much of the affected area, millions continue to face the challenge of getting through without air conditioning.
And now, for commuters in Washington and Baltimore in particular, there's the problem of getting to and from work. Hundreds of traffic lights are still dark, The Washington Post reports. Federal workers in the D.C. region have been given the OK to take unscheduled leave or to work from home if they can in an effort to keep some cars off the roads.
Those problems don't compare, of course, to the tragedies that some have experienced. At least 13 deaths are attributed to the storm or its aftereffects, The Associated Press reports. It's also worth noting that while some homes and vehicles were hit by falling trees, the damage isn't close to what's happened in Colorado, where Colorado Springs' Waldo Canyon wildfire has destroyed about 350 homes.
This blogger's home has been without power since the storm blew through late Friday evening. We're fortunate to have a relatively cool basement and that local restaurants and supermarkets have power (and air conditioning!). The one thing we'd really like to have but don't is ice. Everybody's sold out.
We're interested in how others are faring and what it's been like in their neighborhoods. Feel free to share your stories in the comments thread. We'll highlight some of the most interesting.
