Winter storm experience more positive than last

Juan Salinas II
campus editor
juan.salinas465@my.tccd.edu

NW student Connor Stockman felt that this year’s storm was completely underwhelming and uninteresting compared to last year’s, which he compared to a storm in the apocalypse film “The Day After Tomorrow.” 

The storm came through Texas from Feb. 3 through Feb. 5, resulting in all TCC campuses shutting down.

“I think TCC’s response was very reasonable, given that there was so much uncertainty with this storm and how deadly it was last year,” NW student Zoe Gomersal said. 

TCC posted that all campuses will be closed Feb. 3 at 3:41 p.m., then extended the closures to the rest of the week at 9:17 a.m. the next day. 

“Our neighborhood normally experiences power outages during storms, thankfully, that did not happen this time,” TR professor of kinesiology Jason Wooten said.

 Wooten was in quarantine due to COVID during this year’s storm. He was grateful that he and his students didn’t lose power so his hybrid class could stay on schedule.

“I can guarantee the lights will stay on,” Gov. Greg Abbott said during an interview with Fox 7 Austin discussing a potential winter storm Nov. 26.

TR adjunct kinesiology instructor for TCC Connect Karrie Curry was glad that express lanes were closed this year because last year’s 150 car pile-up resulted in six deaths. 

“A lot of people complained that schools, businesses and other organizations were blowing things out of proportion by closing too early, but I was glad many people were able to stay in and safe,” she said. “I loved sitting by the window watching the ice and snowfall while sipping hot cocoa with my pooches.”

Curry wishes she was able to play in the snow and go sledding with her kids but couldn’t due to having COVID. 

TR student development associate Elizabeth Velez didn’t experience last year’s winter storm.

“My husband and I moved from Florida to Texas last June,” she said. “This was the first time that I have lived in a state where it snowed, and my second time seeing and playing in it. My husband and I bundled up during the peak of the snowstorm to go outside and capture memories on our phones. We enjoyed the company of each other and the small memories we were able to create.”

Marine Creek Collegiate High School student Julie Carrasco spent the extra time at home working on her art and playing outside in the snow with her brother. She said it was a different experience compared to last year’s storm.

“Last year, I experienced multiple blackouts,” she said. “Our water pipes almost bursted because of how frozen the water was, and it was freezing in our house all the time since our house isn’t those fancy ones with the built-in AC or heater. We need heaters and covers to keep warm during the winter.”