The weekend's winter storm may not have dumped the 2 feet of snow the National Weather Service predicted, but single-digit temperatures and the 13-plus inches of snow that did fall were enough to force organizations to cancel weekend events and keep many residents at home.
The weather did not keep everyone inside, however. Amber Webster, a 13-year-old from Elizabeth, made the most of the storm by going door to door asking neighbors if they wanted their walks or driveways shoveled. By midmorning, Webster had already been paid for five jobs and began working her way down Pearl Street in search of more customers.
Warm weather ahead of the storm kept roads wet for most of the day Feb. 21 until temperatures dropped shortly before sunset and the intensity of the storm covered roads with slush, but county plow crews appeared to be keeping up with the snow on primary roads.
It was so quiet, that as of noon on Feb. 22, the Kiowa Fire District had not received a single weather-related call since the snow started falling two days earlier.
“People in Elbert County seem to take our advice and stay in when the weather is bad,” said Tim Rossette, deputy chief of the Kiowa Fire District. “We want people to call us when they need us, but we're good with it being quiet.”
Typical calls received during snowstorms are for chest pains or back injuries from energetic snow shoveling. Rossette emphasized the importance of remaining hydrated.
“Just because you're not hot, doesn't mean you don't need water, especially if you are exerting yourself,” he said.
At the Elizabeth Fire station, crews had also not received a weather-related call since the snow started falling. A fresh crew of four fulltime staff and two volunteers passed their first morning of their 48-hour shift engaged with the latest episode of the “The Walking Dead.”
No zombie calls so far this weekend either, the firefighters joked.
Storm-related cancellations and postponements in Elbert County over the weekend:
Battle of the Bands (Feb. 21) - rescheduled for April 4.
Kiowa High School Winter Ball (Feb. 21) - rescheduled for Feb. 26.
Colorado Australian Shepherd Association's Spring Thaw (Feb. 21, 22) - Canceled
Elbert County Trading post (Feb. 21)- Canceled
Elbert Women's Club County Breakfast (Feb. 22) - Canceled
