Running a Red Cross shelter. Awakened by a call at 7:15 saying they'd pick me up at 7:30. Fortunately, the shelter has plenty of coffee and cereal.
We've got two RC volunteers; a nurse and a social worker; two cops; and a few guys who shovel the sidewalks. Only missing one thing: clients.
9:30 am
TV reporter saw a guy come out to "go for a run," but he got scared and went home. Damn, it looked like such great jogging weather.
The rule (we tell ourselves) is that calories don't count on a DR (disaster response). So... lots of cookies, no jogging... I'll have some insulating padding when this is done.
10:00 am
White-out conditions, snow blowing sideways. People without power probably don't want to come out. Pepco has pulled their crews off the road, because it's unsafe. They've even pulled the snowplows!
11:00 am
HQ reports a heater meal (MRE) shortage. Went out to the trailer -- in the blizzard -- to see if we had any. (1) Couldn't get the padlock off. (D'oh!) (2) Key gets stuck in the other padlock (D'oh!), needed a screwdriver to get it out. (3) Used a wrench to hammer off the first padlock off, counted our meals, locked it up again. (4) Dropped the key in the snow and lost it. (D'OH!) Luckily, rec center staffer found it under the trailer, so we won't starve.
12:00 pm
One client arrives. Woo-hoo! We're actually doing some good.
Montgomery County says no homeless in shelters (and our client may be one). Excuse me??? You do NOT throw someone out in this.
DC did something similar once. They actually took down our Red Cross signs because homeless people might see them and come in. At least then it was good weather.
Meanwhile, the RC may close some shelters because of a staff shortage. So anyone who comes here later will find -- surprise! -- we're not here! Drive another 10 miles. And how will the client get there? RC policy is we don't transport people, for liability reasons.
3:00 pm
The National Guard just brought in a family of 4, including a 3-year-old and a 1-week-old, and they may be bringing more. Doesn't look like they'll close us after all.
8:00 pm
Now at 10 clients. My relief is here -- but transportation home is not! (D'oh!)
9:30 pm
Finally got home, hitching a ride in a National Guard Humvee.
10:15 pm
RC HQ called: can I work in a shelter again tomorrow? Sure. DisasterMan's work is never done.
8:00 am
10:00 am
Seven of our 10 people have power back, and we're getting them transportation home.
1:30 pm
The county got the homeless and special needs folks transported to another shelter, so we can close up. Only one snag: we lost the key to the trailer again! (D'oh!) Fortunately, the rec center staff agreed to lock up our stuff in a storeroom for now.
3:00 pm
OK, sometimes DisasterMan's work is done -- like now. Home again to relax and recover... and back to mundane work tomorrow. (Ugh.) At least regular clothes don't chafe like spandex suits...
The Snowmageddon photo album is here.
See also: The Coming Ice Age
And see: "You think this is bad? When I was your age..." (Preview below)
