The utility power came back around 6:30 tonight so about 34 hours without.  Not our record which was 55 hours after one of the hurricanes a year or two ago.  Haven't heard about any major damage in our wider circle of friends and acquaintances.  Very lucky considering how many pictures I've seen online of downed trees.  I couldn't imagine a 2 inch ice coating, we only had about a half-inch this time.

A friend of mine who lives north of here in PA borrowed our small genset this afternoon.  This summer I tried to talk him into buying a cheap one for this very reason, maybe he'll listen now.   

Lots of ice on the trees last night, worst ice storm we've had since we moved to this house almost 10 years ago.  Neighbors have stories of being w/o power for 2 weeks after ice storms - we lost it at 2:21 am and I'd bet it will be a day or two before we get it back.  My wife and I were up at 5:15 to check on school & work status so I opened my bathroom window for a few minutes - the sky was lit up with flashes from wires going down and the woods were filled with the sounds of shotgun blasts as the limbs came down.

Several large tree tops came down close to the house but no damage.  One large limb shook the house when it fell on the roof (I never went back to bed but that got everyone else up in a hurry!) but no puncture through the sheathing that I can see from the attic.  I'll have to call my roofer to come out for an inspection.  Figures we just had the roof replaced this past spring.  Then mid-day a large tree fell across our driveway so I spent 5 hours cutting most of it up so we can get out tomorrow.

My Prius-as-generator system has been working well, as well as our big Generac, so we've had all the usual comforts of home.  Nothing is as sweet as a hot shower when the power is out after a long day driving a chainsaw!  Most neighbors won't get one tonight since we all have wells.

Hope everyone else is safe and warm!