Free Storm Front by Robert Conroy Page B

was first starting out as a television personality. Back then, he spoke hesitantly and sometimes had an almost overwhelming urge to urinate. Now it was just a tool of the trade. His voice would be going out over the radio as well as television.
    Genuine concern showed on Wally’s face. Gone was his usual casual and corny banter. Now he was grim. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s obvious that the weather situation has gone from bad to worse and could easily get even more dangerous. Those of you who are listening to me on your car radios know exactly what I am talking about. However, those of you considering leaving work or school or wherever you are and driving home are everyone’s concern.”
    Wally paused for effect. “Simply put, it is far too dangerous to be driving in this weather. Worse, it is virtually impossible to move even if you do try. So, if you do try to drive home you will fail miserably and become part of a growing and dangerous problem. Almost every road in Southeastern Michigan is at a standstill and relief is not in sight. It is only noon and there’s much more than a foot of snow on the ground, and no letup in the intensity of the storm is predicted. We can only look at our maps and satellite photos and forecast snow, snow, and more snow. We have no idea when it will slow down, much less stop. To be candid, our science and our computers have all failed. We have no idea what is going to happen next. The weather has won this round and there’s nothing we can or should do except wait it out.”
    The comment about computers wasn’t quite the truth. Computers never fail. They just didn’t have enough data to make a correct analysis. The analysts who’d assumed their infallibility had failed by providing the computers with insufficient data and not acknowledging that fact. Detailed weather records went back less than a century and satellite reconnaissance less than half that. So how could data be complete?
    “Even if the snow were to stop in a few minutes, it would be many hours before the roads could be cleared. As you probably know, Governor Landsman has declared a state of emergency and ordered that everyone stay where they are. This could be inconvenient, but inconvenience usually isn’t fatal. At worst, you’re going to be a little hungry and have to sleep on something uncomfortable tonight. You may be concerned about loved ones, but please accept the fact that you are not going to reach them even if you try. Odds are, you won’t even get out of your parking lot or your driveway. Wherever you and they are, both you and they are better off not moving.”
    Wally again paused to let that sink in. Hopefully. Some people were such complete and stubborn asses. “Please, use your heads and not your emotions. Stay put. For those listening on your car radio to our FM affiliate, you may already be in great danger. If there are open buildings nearby, leave your vehicles and get to them as soon as you can before the snow gets even deeper and more dangerous. If you stay in your car, you run the risk of freezing to death before the roads are reopened. If you insist on staying in your vehicle, only run your engine intermittently and then with the car windows opened a crack. If you don’t, you could suffocate. Bear in mind that your exhaust pipe may already be filled with snow. Like I said, your best bet is to get out of your car and into some other shelter.”
    An intern handed him a sheet of paper. He read the contents and nodded. “Here’s something else to consider. Check the pipes that are the outside vents for your furnaces. If this snow gets much deeper, they might get covered. If that happens, carbon monoxide could back up and into your houses and that would be very dangerous.”
    Wally signed off and looked at his producer. The two men were shocked by the intensity of the snowfall. The normally loquacious Wally Wellman, star of TV6, really had nothing further to say.
    * * *
    Two adults and three kids