Happy New Year?

 

Are we having fun yet? After record high temperatures, Goochland was walloped with a blizzard on Monday. Didn't someone predict that children born after 2000 would never see snow?

Winter in Goochland (photo D. Stamey)

Our deputies and fire-rescue providers have been working incredibly hard since the first flakes flew helping those hammered by the storm. Citizens with chain saws and winches are pitching in to help neighbors. Power crews are working through the herculean task of getting the lights back on, hacking their way through forests of fallen trees tangled in power lines.

Goochland Fire-Rescue responded to two structure fires, one in the Rock Castle Road area on Friday, January 7, resulted in the death of an elderly man. The second, early on the morning of January 8, completely destroyed a home, but no injuries associated with the incident were reported.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A WORKING SMOKE ALARM IN YOUR HOME. CONTACT THE FIRE-RESCUE OFFICE AT 1-804-556-5304 OR YOUR LOCAL FIRE-RESCUE STATION TO HAVE ONE INSTALLED. NEVER REMOVE THE BATTERIES FROM A SMOKE ALARM FOR USE IN ANOTHER DEVICE. IF YOUR SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS, LEAVE YOUR HOUSE IMMEDIATELY AND CALL 911.

Initial reports indicate that this storm caused the worst power outages since Hurricane Isabel in 2003. At least it was warm then. The good news is that the storm that threatened us on Friday was a bust. It's still cold and there are still people shivering in the dark.

Social media is keeping us connected. While it provides an outlet for those in the dark far too long to vent, it illustrates the goodness of Goochlanders helping their neighbors make it through tough times. It spreads the word about which roads are passable and where to find gas and other necessities, and the good news when power is restored.

Goochland County has provided warming and charging stations. The Y in Courthouse Village has opened its doors for showers and charging to anyone who needs them. Courthouse Company 5 provides water for animals from 2 to 3 p.m. Go to the county website  https://www.goochlandva.us/ for details and updates.

We'll be cleaning up from this storm for a while. Brush disposal fees are being waived at both of the county's convenience centers through January 31. Be careful when clearing downed trees and keep safe. If you are still in the dark, may your power soon be restored. Thanks and prayers to utility crews. May the blizzard of '22 soon be a memory.