The Kentucky Ice Storm

Though you probably haven't read much about it in the news, Kentucky was hit with an ice storm last week that may be among the worst natural disasters in the Commonwealth's history. More than a half-million people were (and many still are) without power for several days on end. Mom and Dad live in rural Hopkins County, one of the worst-hit areas, and have been told not to expect power for a full month.

Dad says he and Mom have been eating like kings, however. With a freezer full of deer and elk, as well as wild turkey, wild boar, a few quail, and maybe some catfish, a generator to run long enough to keep it frozen, and a good Coleman stove and gas grill (as well as a crock pot to plug in when the generator is running), they were never in any danger of starving. Plus, if it came down to it, they had a place to stay here in Memphis with ample BBQ available.

The wildlife in the area no doubt had a tough few days. Snow is one thing (and not something we get a whole lot of in western Kentucky) but all the vegetation in the area was covered by a thick layer of ice for several days on end. Was it long enough to affect the whitetail herd? I doubt it. Turkeys, quail, and other small game? Perhaps, although, since the ice began to melt within a week, the impacts were probably minimal. Critters are ever-resourceful.

Will in Tennessee