The Blizzards of 2026 started for us around January 25.
From inconvenience to danger
We’ve experienced several feet of snow and near-hurricane force winds. That’s led to power outage, loss of internet and cell connectivity, downed trees and fences, impassable driveway and roads, and other problems.
We have a wood stove and plenty of firewood, plus a propane-powered generator that keeps some essential services going, such as the well pump. But others are not so fortunate. An acquaintance is home bound with a terminal illness. His visiting nurse can’t get to him because the roads are blocked.
In our case, a small problem has been that we couldn’t call for help because our cell service went from feeble to non-existent and the internet connection was out.
The local superette is one of the few places open with food. They have no power, so shopping means to walk around with a flashlight to find something edible. We bag the item and write down its price in a notebook, On checkout, we report what we find. There’s no working cash register or scanner. Transactions are cash only.
Enter the warming center
One bright spot in all of this are the warming centers. We enjoyed one at the Eastham library. It’s yet another reminder of the wonderful things that a library can do. It meets community needs and is open to everyone,
In the Eastham center, there’s plenty of water, hot coffee, and half & half. Library staff brought in food–green salad, turkey salad, and pizza. There are newspapers and power chargers. A couple are working on jigsaw puzzles. A parent is playing cards with a seven year-old. People see old friends and acquaintances. They learn about weather, road conditions, and specialty health services.
Other warming centers are at churches, the fire department, the high school, and other public places (with generators). Some have cots and blankets.
Chip's journey 
Sent from my iPadBeg
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I just heard that the food charity run by José Andrés was arriving in Cape Cod, which would indicate that conditions there were quite severe. No power, lots of snow, no access for healthcare and for food deliveries must have been disruptive for many, especially for those with illnesses or disabilities.
The library brilliantly serves as a meeting place and warming center, and it might be described as a “third place” —that term that town planners are so fond of—the place where you go, reliably, besides going home and to work. In some places, this is a café or a village store.
I wonder where José Andrés has set up his World Central Kitchen? In the library? In a huge tent?
I have long admired his work in this area, as it helps so many around the world. You may remember the articles about this happening in Puerto Rico, after Hurricane María, and especially, in Gaza.
I used to go to his restaurant in DC and in Bethesda, when I lived in the DC area. The Spanish cuisine is very good!
There must be a great competitive business in snow removal where you are. Shouldn’t there be a special snow removal charity squad available for senior citizens or others on a list, who couldn’t be expected to clear all this snow by themselves? It is the potential for a medical emergency that might occur, and vulnerable people should not be left on their own. Is there any such snow-clearing service there?
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Trust you to find the communitarian experience and report it warmly. People do behave and help and stay out of the way. I hope things are improving. MEMA reports 52% of Wellfleet buildings without power as of 9:30AM. WBUR reported from Eastham that the roads remain extensively blocked by downed trees. Access by road is difficult and for now they are just cutting trees and pushing the pieces to the side of the road so that power crews can get their vehicles and equipment further into the areas without power. Tomorrow should be much better. Note 2 nights of very cold temperatures ahead: 7-10º here. Then a more prolonged warm up. Thinking of you. Don’t get sick. Mick
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