The Weather Has Become Dangerous

February 3, 2011

Thousands of residents of Central New Mexico have no gas, so they have no heat.  Shelters are being set up at area high schools because tonight’s temperatures will again be sub-zero.  We are not prepared for dealing with these temperatures for several days/nights in a row.  At the moment we still have natural gas service at the house so the baddogs and I are okay.  The same can’t be said for many other folks that live in the greater Albuquerque metro area.

What occurred?  Our natural gas is piped in from Texas.  Because Texas has instituted rolling blackouts, the equipment that compresses the natural gas for transmission has been shutting down when the blackout rolls through its area.  Each time the blackout shuts down the equipment, a technician must return to re-pressurize the equipment.  The re-pressurization takes a significant period of time and no gas is sent through the lines during the process. To reduce the use of gas, all state government offices will be closed tomorrow, no schools will be open, we’ve been asked to turn down our thermostats and to use as little hot water as possible, not to use gas stoves/ranges.  This is a crisis!


12 Comments

  1. Dawn says:

    Stay safe. We will be worried about you. Definately a 3 dog night. Good thing you have 3 dogs. Please take care.

  2. Amy says:

    Hope you are able to weather the storm ok. I didn’t realize it was so bad! Stay warm and hugs to all the baddogs.

  3. Cheryl says:

    Wow! How awful for everybody. Stay safe and warm and stay HOME! Geeze!

  4. Builder Mama says:

    Be safe! I can’t believe the gas situation. Please take care of yourself and those baddogs!

  5. Sharrie Brockhaus says:

    People don’t realize how bad it is when a type of weather shows up where it doesn’t belong. Heat waves in the north or cold/snow in the south. We are prepared in the winter. It is hard to prepare where it is unexpected. Hope it all ends soon for everyone!

  6. Elizabeth says:

    Saw this story on the national news this morning; how frightening for many people. Hope the groundhog was right about an early spring.

  7. nancy says:

    I have a woodstovefor heating and cooking, gas for my chainsaw. Check on your neighbors and God Bless and keep you.

  8. DeAnn says:

    I hope you and your family (both pups and kids) remain safe and warm!

  9. Kim says:

    Oh my goodness. I certainly hope this horrible situation is resolved in short order. Snuggle up with those pups!

  10. Holly says:

    Please stay safe!!

  11. sandy says:

    Stay warm and stay SAFE. I am now glad we have propane at our place near Corona and control it ourself. And with the sun out some the passive solar building of the house will pay off.

    Hugs…warm ones.

  12. Kathy M. says:

    Holy Cactus…this is NOT what life in New Mexico is meant to be. Glad to hear you’re still OK.