Sam Corrigan and her boyfriend Mark Pardy forgot their mitts and shovels in their car and realized too late as the blizzard buried their vehicle, they used oven mitts and tubs to clear seven or eight foot drifts from their basement apartment door, dumping the snow in the bathtub.
When they finally dug out, on the other side was a neighbour with a snowblower coming to meet them.
The couple who live near the Avalon Mall took to a Facebook group NL Snowstorm 2020 Information Center with their adventures digging out, including Pardy huddled up in the tunnel of snow where they hung pictures and spread blankets and snacks.They made sure they were digging toward air, though so felt safe.
Almost 10,000 people shared the snow tunnel posts meant to cut into some of the public distress over the 77-93 centimetre, 134-kilometre blizzard, the likes of which has not been seen in winter in many, many decades in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Everybody was laughing. It’s nice to see. There’s a lot of stress during this time with the storm and stuff,” said Pardy Saturday of the reaction to their posts..
“To bring lightness to a situation means a lot.”
“It’s drifted really bad. We can’t even see our car,” said Corrigan. “(But) everybody I know right now is safe and taking it in stride. Fortunately,nobody (I know) seems to be stuck in a dangerous state.”
All across social media, people posted photos depicting situations from the rare situation of completely cleared of snow due to the wind direction to extremes of eight and nine foot drifts and completely buried vehicles.
Some took breaks from 36-hour shifts in health-care jobs to check on pets if they lived close enough to walk.
The incredible heroes of fire, police, snow plows, health care and other essential services were celebrated for their tireless dedication to the public.
“Registered nurse Jen snowshoed to work with a sled of supplies. Andrew hitched a ride on skidoo. So many inspiring stories out there of people coming together during this time,” tweeted Registered Nurses Union of Newfoundland and Labrador Debbie Forward.
My family and I would like to say a big thank you to Eastern Health and all the staff at the HSC for all their hard work over the past two days. Despite some working for over 30 hours due to the declared a State of Emergency, their smiles, help, and generosity with supplying blankets, pillows, and places to lay down have been greatly appreciated,” Ashley Bonnell posed on the information centre Facebook page.
After shoveling tons of snow! #nlwx #stormageddon2020 #barbecue @CBCNL @VOCMNEWS @StJohnsTelegram pic.twitter.com/S7q7PNvsOT
— Jêneli Wrasse (@jeneliw) January 18, 2020
“We would also like to thank the managers and the food service employees for ensuring that the over 800 extra people who have been stranded here as well as all of the hospital staff, have been able to access unlimited snacks and coffee. The free hot meal last night and the free hot breakfast this morning definitely helped in raising our spirits despite this storm.”
"Mad respect for all the staff at Health Science keeping theplace going! My son Logan was born Friday morning just as the storm started havoc on the city," posted Danny Andrews. "To all the staff workign around the clock we apreciate your hard work and dedication."
Other people gave plow updates when the plows returned to the streets of metro.
“Relieved the plow arrived here on Marios Street CBS then it broke down in front of my house,” tweeted Kristy Wilson George. “Support workers have arrived so hopefully the plow operator can get back to work.”
Others used social media to warn others of risks.
“For the love of God if you’re going to your car to warm up MAKE SURE IT’S CLEAR ESPECIALLY THE EXHAUST. I’ve lost family members from carbon monoxide poisoning doing that exact thing. Be safe, be smart,” said Mykynzy.
Meantime, a Twitter poster from away, @GetMyGist drew a lot of ire by posting the suggestion the blizzard is a hoax.
For those living through it, it was a punch in the gut.
“@Twitter Could you consider shutting down accounts spreading misinformation? This place is becoming a cesspool. @getmygist is literally saying that #nlblizzard2020 didn't happen. It did. I'm here. Misinformation is harmful,” said MineraStardust.
Seriously, get off the internet,” said JesseCakes.
“Yes, everyone here telling you are wrong have been bribed! Someone just gave me a shit load of snow and fake 150km + winds so we could all say there was a blizzard. I kinda wish they didn’t have to dump all of it in front of my house though,” said Laura Martin.
@BarbSweetTweets
