First day of spring

Trees in the springtime - Creative Commons photo by J. Plenio/Pixabay

It's official, Detroit.

As of today, we have made it to the first day of spring. The weather may not be super awesome at the moment, but we made through the winter - polar vortex be darned.

Detroit is supposed to be a lot more spring-like later in the week. I look forward to seeing lots of my neighbors outside enjoying it.

SpongeBob SquarePants presents the weather

Over the 14 years of publishing the Warrendale Detroit Blog, I have endeavored to innovate constantly; to bring readers new features that make their lives better and our neighborhood a nicer place to live. This quest for innovation has led to some interesting partnerships throughout the years and today I am pleased present what is quite possibly the most interesting of all partnerships.

The Warrendale Detroit Blog has teamed up with SpongeBob SquarePants to provide readers with a quick summary of the weather forecast across Michigan for the next few days.

Without further ado, I give you the Michigan weather forecast from SpongeBob SquarePants.

via GIPHY

There you have it. I don't think anyone could sum up what readers can expect from the weather in Michigan quite like SpongeBob SquarePants.

I'm proud of the Warrendale Detroit Blog and its legacy of innovation. If you would like to see SpongeBob SquarePants continue giving his weather forecasts like this, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. You can also leave a comment on the Facebook page for this blog.

Until next time, I want to say, "Thank you, SpongeBob SquarePants. Thank you."

Prepare for floods, Detroiters

Flooding | Stock photo from Pixabay

During the next three days, the weather forecast shows a rapid change in the temperatures – a possible 60-degree swing – and expected rainfall starting Sunday. Both of these factors bring the possibility of severe flooding. The Detroit Water & Sewerage Department encourages residents and businesses to follow the recommended tips this weekend and into the upcoming week.

• Call DWSD at (313) 267-8000 if you see standing, gushing or bubbling water;
• Avoid driving through standing water;
• Clear snow, ice and debris from above and around the catch basins (storm drains) near your property; offer to help nearby senior citizens do the same;
• Look at your downspouts and remove any snow or debris that may be at the point where the water exits;
• Move snow away from the outside walls of your house or building. Rapid snowmelt could seep into basement walls that are not properly sealed;
• Check your basement drain to make sure it's not clogged. Any water that enters your basement needs to drain properly;
• Stay clear of standing water in your basement if the area includes electrical appliances, outlets, or a fuse box.

DWSD appreciates the patience of residents and businesses as we respond to an increase in water main breaks during and following the deep freeze. They temporarily re-assigned staff who normally work on sewer maintenance to assist with assessing and repairing the pipes. More than 200 DWSD employees are working in the field.

With temperatures rising today and into the weekend, DWSD and its contractors are now able to work on the backlog of repairing the water mains. It was unsafe for crews to perform underground repairs during extremely cold temperatures. Crews will be working through the weekend.

Report street flooding by calling DWSD at (313) 267-8000, or use the Improve Detroit SeeClickFix mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

Surviving the polar vortex

Hot Toddy | Photo by Timothy Krause/Flickr

Between the polar vortex that is gripping the Midwestern United States and everyone in the Detroit area being asked to turn their thermostats down so DTE and Consumers Energy don't run out of natural gas, I figure that I need to do something to make the lives of my loyal readers a little bit better.

Therefore, I give you, my dear reader, the one thing everyone needs to get a day like this: the recipe for a perfect hot toddy from our friends at Epicurious.

A Google search shows that there are roughly 2.1 million recipes for a hot toddy online today - each putting a slightly different twist on this classic beverage. I have researched many different recipes over the past week. I have come to believe that Epicurious has the best of them all.

One can find their recipe for a hot today online here.

Stay warm, Detroiters.

Freezing temperatures bring dangers

As I write this post, it is only 14 degrees above zero Fahrenheit in Detroit. Moreover, the weather forecast calls for it to get even colder and for this weather to last for more than a week. Weather such as this poses some very serious problems for those among us who are already having a tough time.

Anyone who lives within the city of Detroit who does not have heat in their home is asked to call the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department for help. Their telephone number is (313) 628-2451.

Also, anyone who finds themselves suffering from extreme cold is asked to call 9-1-1.

Finally, the City of Detroit has released a flyer outlining places where people can take emergency shelter from this cold weather. It is located above.

Please share this information widely. One never knows who will need it.

First snowfall of the year

One of the first things that I saw this morning, before I even looked outside, was a cheerful message on Facebook from an old friend of mine from high school who happens to run a snowplow business.

Even if you're not excited about the first snowfall of the season in Detroit, I hope all of my readers are able to confront the day with the same level of enthusiasm as my friend Wayne has about it.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Spring arrives in Warrendale

Ice cream truck - Photo by Susan McCaleer/Pixabay

Spring has arrived in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood.

I know this not because of the calendar on my wall, the robins singing in the tree outside my house, or the fact that I no longer need a jacket when going outside. I know that spring has arrived in Detroit because yesterday afternoon, on my street in the Warrendale neighborhood, there were three ice cream trucks simultaneously on the same block.

Ice cream trucks: the true sign of spring in Warrendale.

Let's go skiing in Rouge Park

Official Warrendale Snow Gauge - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The far west side of Detroit got 6.5 inches of snow last night and early this morning, according to the Official Warrendale Snow Gauge. More is continuing to fall. Moreover, the snow is expected to continue through tomorrow as well.

For those who are interested in enjoying this winter wonderland, the Friends of Rouge Park are hosting an impromptu cross-country ski event this afternoon. Anyone with their own skies is invited to join them. There is no cost to join this event.

The group will meet at 1 pm in Rouge Park at the south prairie trailhead on Outer Drive at Tireman. They intend to ski through the prairie trail then possibly onto some others.

Rouge Park is one of the few places within the Detroit city limits where one can do a lot of cross-country skiing. This is a great opportunity for those enjoy the sport.

Snow plows to hit residential streets in Warrendale

Snow plow in action - Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

The City of Detroit's Department of Public Works has announced that their contractors will soon begin plowing residential side streets in the Warrendale neighborhood as well as the rest of Detroit. The snow plows are expected to clear a 10-foot wide path along each of the 1,880 miles of residential streets in the city beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Under the terms of their contract with the City, each of the four private contractors has until 6 a.m. Sunday morning to complete the job.

In order to avoid being plowed in and to make work easier for snow removal crews, Mayor Mike Duggan urges residents to not park their cars on side streets, if possible.

With additional snow in the forecast over the next few days, DPW will continue to monitor the weather and our road conditions. If conditions change, they will supply updates throughout the day as deemed necessary.

Many area residents have already responded on Facebook to news of snow plows on residential streets by saying "I'll believe it when I see it." As a result, readers of this blog can look forward to a special report on how effective the snow plows were on Sunday afternoon.

Awesome shot of the solar eclipse

Father Jerry Pilus, pastor at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood, took this amazing shot of the solar eclipse. This photo was taken at 2:28 p.m. from the church grounds.

Father Jerry posted this photo of the solar eclipse as seen from Detroit to the church's Facebook page. I'm happy to be able to embed it here.

For anyone who missed it, the next time that a total solar eclipse will be visible in the Detroit area won't be until April 8, 2024.

Detroit responds to flash flooding. Again

Flooded street in Warrendale
Photo by Frank Nemecek

Southeastern Michigan was once again hit with heavy rainfall that flooded streets, stranded motorists and caused problems throughout the region. Mayor Mike Duggan released a report this evening that broke down how the city government has responded to this crisis.

The information below represents the City’s response as of 5 p.m. Agencies will continue to respond to flooding as long as needed. Residents who would like to report water and sewer emergency issues can call (313) 267-7401 or use the Improve Detroit - SeeClickFix” mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

More than 275 flooded street drains have been fully cleared by City agencies. The Mayor's Office released the following numbers to break down exactly how they have responded.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
Crews dispatched from West Yard: 5
Crews dispatched from Huber location: 24
          Sewer investigation crews: 3
          General crews: 21
Vactor Trucks dispatched: 8

Detroit Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Partially activated Emergency Operation Center
Coordinating efforts between Police, Fire, Public Works, General Services, Public Lighting and the Department of Transportation

General Services Department
5 crews reassigned to assist with flooding response
4 members per crew
Crews continue to canvass streets to identify and clean street drains

Department of Public Works
18 crews deployed
2 person crews
Crews continue to canvass streets to identify and clean street drains

Detroit Fire Department
Responded to and conducted 9 rescues in response to flooding

Detroit Department of Transportation
Through morning and afternoon hours, DDOT experienced minimal service interruptions. However, routes were behind schedule due to traffic and flooding issues.

For the evening commute, DDOT will have its normal deployment level on the road. They will work to keep delays to a minimum.

Obama's chemtrails keep Detroit from record-setting snow

The snow that was supposed to hit Detroit today isn't coming after all. As one looks at the extended weather forecast, it becomes clear that Detroiters aren't likely to have anymore snow this season.

This, of course, means that Detroiters will not cross the proverbial threshold. We will not beat the all-time record for snowiest year in recorded history.

Multiple chemtrails - Photo by NOAA

I think we can all agree that this is the fault of President Barack Obama. He had the guys doing chemtrail spraying work overtime in January and February to get us close to this record. But then, being the tyrant that he is, he had them stop just short of the record.

Curse you, President Obama! Curse you.

Duggan looks for unplowed streets

If your #Detroit street has not been plowed since Saturday w/at least a 10 ft path, please complete this online form: http://t.co/PuRGi6x30l
— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) January 10, 2014

Mayor Mike Duggan tweeted on Friday, asking Detroiters to fill out an on-line form if their residential side street has not been plowed. Since I haven't seen a single residential street in Northwest Detroit that has been plowed, I suspect there are going to be a lot of people clicking that form.

I, of course, entered my information to complain that my street, Ashton between Whitlock and Paul, has not been plowed. If I actually get a response, I'll be sure to post it here. If anyone else the same, please let me know what response you receive, if any.

Snowzilla Comes to Detroit

Winter snowstorm | Stock photo by Public Domain Images/Pixabay

As a massive snowstorm heads towards Detroit, more than a few people around town are starting to freak out. One of my brothers, as a matter of fact, is referring to this as the Snow Storm of Death. I however think Snowzilla simply sounds so much better.

Regardless of what one prefers to call this weather, there are a couple of things that are abundantly clear. The first point is that it is going to snow in Detroit. There is going to be a lot of it and it is going to be cold.

As for everyone who is freaking out this impending snowstorm, I would simply like to say that every part of the country has their own natural disasters to deal with. I believe these things are simply God's way of reminding us who is in charge on this planet.

Here, by the way, are a few examples of what people in other parts of these United States have to deal with on a regular basis:

• Southern coastal states have to deal with hurricanes;
• Florida has those same hurricanes as well as flying cockroaches;
• The Plains have tornadoes so regularily that their home is referred to as Tornado Alley;
• California has earthquakes, mudslides, and wildfires;
• And last but not least, Las Vegas has to deal with Britney Spears.

In Michigan, all that we have to deal with is snow. Sometimes, we have lots and lots of snow.

It can be a pain in the butt to deal with this much snow. Regardless, I would rather deal with a snowstorm than any of the things listed above.

More than 6 inches of snow

Measuring snowfall
Photo by Frank Nemecek

According to the Official Warrendale Snow Gauge (a/k/a - a ruler stuck in my yard), we received 6 1/2 inches of snow over the weekend. This makes this one of the biggest snowfalls to hit the Warrendale neighborhood in several years. Plus, the forecasts call for even more snow to fall soon.

No matter what the calendar says, I think it's safe to say that it is winter in Detroit.