As Nick Named by a Local TV Reporter. All photos in this gallery were taken outside in the storm.

As with much of the country, we have been hit by extreme weather this week. Heavy snow falling at the rate of 2 inches an hour - with 45 MPH winds - came together to create a blizzard. The snow started slowly & relatively peaceful. However, it soon turned into a full blown blizzard with total White Out conditions. Up to 18 inches of the white stuff and much higher drifts were left behind where we live.

Most of the State is now at a complete stand still with a State of Emergency having been declared. Conditions became so bad during the blizzard that three major Interstates had to be closed. I don't think I can ever remember seeing this happen here before. Interstate I-70 was closed entire the entire state for the first time in history. Businesses remain closed today. The National Guard is out. There is no telling how long it will be before the roads will be cleared enough for us to even get out of our development. Although my hubby has his Teramite and can plow our driveway, the secondary roads might not be cleared until the weekend.

Below are some images that I took during the storm. Because of the high winds, extreme cold, and white out conditions, I did not want to risk venturing any farther than close to the house. The "soft focus" in my images comes from the blowing snow. This snow was a very fine, dry snow. Now that the blizzard has ended, it is bitterly cold (around zero). However tonight promises to be even colder at minus -15.

This would be a good week to be off on a Caribbean Cruise. Meanwhile, I'm just happy that we didn't lose our power during the storm. We have heat & lights & TV & Internet. Therefore, we could comfortably watch the blizzard without feeling its effect. We were lucky. Next comes the task of "digging out"

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View the Slide Show https://pbase.com/britestar/blizzard_2011&view=slideshow

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Copyright 2011, Elizabeth Bickel. All Rights Reserved. Any and/or all usage or copying of photos, without express written permission from the photographer, is prohibited by law.