Streets covered in ice. Homes and cars blanketed in snow. Power outages. Temperatures in the single digits. While this may sound like a scene in Minnesota or North Dakota, states northward and prone to colder weather, it was the grim reality that many Texans experienced just weeks ago. 

Two weeks ago, a winter storm affectionately called Snowmageddon or Snovid brought snow and ice to Texas which froze pipes, iced streets, and caused general mayhem across the state. Students, staff, and their families experienced power and water loss throughout the week as they struggled through the storm. 

“I liked playing in the snow because we rarely get it,” Kerriona Bradford (10) said. “At the same time, though, I didn’t like being without power.” 

For many students, the snow was nice at first. On average, the Dallas area only receives one inch of snow per year. This makes any snowfall feel like a special event or a holiday. Many like to play in the snow: building snowmen, throwing snowballs, or just walking around in the field of white. 

“I loved the snow,” Keira Ruark (10) said. “I made a mini snowman and threw snowballs at friends. My little sister and I also did a photoshoot together in the snow.” 

Still, the beauty outdoors was only a cover for the troubles below the surface. The freezing cold temperatures and snow caused power plants and roads to freeze over. This led to major power outages and a shortage of goods. Many students lost power, water, or both. 

“The snow was pretty until your power went out and you’re freezing cold,” Jalyn Knight (9) said. “We mostly had power, but we had to go to a cousin’s house because our house got down to freezing temperatures. Our home is okay now, but a pool pipe broke.” 

As was the case with many students at Heritage. Power outages caused freezing temperatures inside homes and pipes to freeze. Some pipes in homes even burst because of the cold. Students and their families had to make do with what they had around their homes and hope for the best. 

“My family lost power and it wasn’t good,” Kate Clarke (9) said. “It was very cold, and we huddled in one room with a bunch of candles. Our fridge somehow short-circuited, so it never turned back on. Because it went out, we didn’t want to open the doors, so we just ate PB&Js.” 

Due to all of these frigid conditions, school was canceled. This was a relief to many but has also caused setbacks in multiple classes. Snowmageddon may have only lasted for a little over a week, but its impact is still being felt by students, staff, and their families even weeks later. 

“It was fun and exciting at first, but now that I’m back at school and we’re behind in class, I wish that we hadn’t missed so much school,” Whitney Olson (11) said.