Almost everything publicly run is closed in our area (SE MI) due to this bitter cold. Currently the air temperature is a balmy -5F, up from about -10 earlier this morning — though the “feels like” temp is -29. We’ll drop to -15F/-30F sometime in the next 24 hours, probably. The key indicator that things are unusual is that even the administration of main campus of the University of Michigan has yielded to concerns over the safety of students, faculty, and staff, announcing a two-day closure effective this morning.
Governor Whitmer has declared a state of emergency because of the life-threatening cold, as described in this MLive story from this morning. The local MLive front page is dominated by stories related to this record-breaking cold. Most reports are concerning, and rightfully so. Local municipalities and social service agencies are sending out staff and volunteers to attempt to ensure that anyone who needs emergency shelter can get to it. Already at least two people in metro Detroit have been found dead, presumably from hypothermia.
What’s happening where you are? I suspect this post will attract some comments from people who are MUCH warmer, but the rest of us will do our best to restrain our jealous impulses. It’s OK to add fun links too, if you choose. I’d include one here but at the moment the website is not cooperating. It’s probably too cold.
Check out the poll if you like, and feel free to describe how and where you experienced the coldest time of your life.
All kidding aside, the cold can kill, even at much higher temperatures than we have now. It’s beyond sad to have had this demonstrated in any case, through any preventable loss. But the danger of severe cold was brought home through the death last week of a young fish and wildlife student at Northern Michigan University, Giuancarlo Estupigan. He got lost on a hike during a sudden snowstorm in the woods near Marquette. He was starting to build a following for his nature videos. Here is Carlo’s lovely video of a cross-species encounter from earlier this fall.