Similar to 2024’s Hurricane Helene and last January’s snowfall, the icy winter storm that swept through the southeast United States last week has resulted in school cancellations, downed trees, power outages and more.
The unprecedented weather is frustrating for the Clemson community for a variety of reasons. Many student organizations have had to reschedule meetings, chapters and events. Businesses have had to close temporarily, and many community members were unable to leave their homes for several days.
Weather is one of the few things in life that is uncontrollable. Even the University’s initiative to prepare for a situation like this — such as last semester’s practice e-learning day — wasn’t enough to save a day of classes on Monday.
While the aforementioned qualms are valid, this situation serves as a reminder of three things: that we could use more thankfulness for everyday life, that we depend a little too much on electricity and that it’s ok to slow down.
It’s a privilege that many of us here in Clemson got to treat the past few days off from school and work as a break or even a vacation. Most of us still have power, and we live in an area well-resourced enough that our public works department is able to jump to remove trees from the roads, plow the snow and overall ensure people’s safety.
However, it’s important to note that a lot of people in other parts of the United States are not as fortunate. The storm has been referred to as an “ice apocalypse” due to the damage it has inflicted, especially upon Mississippi, Tennessee and New York.
People are dealing with crushed homes and cars, crippled roads, fallen trees and major power outages. Our Clemson community was blessed to have experienced a less intense — but still hazardous — outcome, despite Gov. Henry McMaster’s declaration of a state of emergency for South Carolina on Jan. 21.
This reflection is crucial to remember as parts of the country begin to recover from the storm’s impacts. In a way similar to Hurricane Helene, I hope to see Clemson band together to organize food and supply drives for our less fortunate neighbors.
I also hope that people take a moment to recognize how much privilege lies in the ability to sled down Bowman Field, watch movies or catch up on some schoolwork during the snow day instead of figuring out how to stay warm during the night or where their next meal will come from.
This experience is a reminder of what’s truly important in life. It often seems like all we do is go, go, go — always looking for the next thing, trying to get ahead and just rushing through life. However, when something like this winter storm happens, we need to reflect on the fact that it’s a blessing just to have a roof over our heads, a warm bed to sleep in at night, food in the fridge and people who love and care for us.
