As this major blizzard makes its way across the Midwest, Terre Haute (our corporate headquarters) and Indianapolis (our primary datacenter) are in the band of severe icing.  At this hour, we have about an inch of ice accumulated with more ice and snow on their way.

This could be one of the most significant storms to hit our area in decades with major power, telephone and Internet outages caused by ice accumulating on overhead lines.  As of yesterday, as part of our standard procedures when preparing for inclement weather, the team had the fuel levels in all generators topped off in anticipation of a commercial power outage.  In addition, they have taken the precaution to contact fuel vendors and review all fuel resupply intervals to ensure a sufficient supply of fuel is available if the generators are activated for extended periods of time.  They have also made provisions for key staff to remain on site for several days while this storm passes as driving may not be safe.  The primary operations and engineering people will be onsite for this winter storm while a secondary team will be on standby in the event additional needs arise.

Most of us in the corporate office are working from home today.  This morning, it was necessary for me to cut up a tree that had fallen across my driveway in order to leave.  Here is a picture outside the dining room window of my residence showing the ice accumulation on a small tree.