1.
MS. SNOW FALLING ON BUSH OUTSIDE HOUSE.
0.02

2.
CU.DITTO, YILT TO TOP OF PLANT, SNOW FALLING.
0.12

3.
LS. SNOW FALLING, HOMES IN B/G.
0.18

4.
RIDING SHOT..PAST SHOPPING CENTRE, STOPS ON MAN TRYING TO GET TRUCK STARTED.
0.32

5.
SNOW FALLING, MAN RUNNING WITH WOOD PLANK TOWARDS STORE.
0.40

6.
CU.BROKEN WINDOW, PLANK HOLDING SECTION OF WINDOW FRAME UP.
0.45

7.
RIDING SHOT..PAST SINGLE LEVEL HOMES, COVERED WITH SNOW.
0.52

8.
SNOW PILED UP OUTSIDE HOUSE.
0.56

9.
CAR IN GARAGE, SNOW PALED UP.
1.01

10.
MEN PUSHING TRUCK STUCK IN ICE, FINALLY GET IT GOING.
1.10



Initials TDH/N/PB TDH/N/MT/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: DURING THE NIGHT OF NOV. 13/14, THE TOWN OF EL PASO, TEXAS, WAS HIT BY THE WORST SHOWSTORM FOR MANY YEARS. USUALLY, THE WINTER CLIMATE IS MILD, AND SEMI-TROPICAL PLANTS THRIVE IN THE SUNSHINE, SO NOBODY WAS PREPARED FOR THE FREEZING 70 MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS AND SNOW.

POWER WAS CUT OFF FOR THREE AND A HALF HOURS, BRINGING ALL ELECTRICAL SERVICES TO A STANDSTILL. MOTORISTS WERE STRANDED, THEIR CARS BURIED BY SNOWDRIFTS. HOUSES BUILT TO AFFORD PROTECTION FROM THE HOT SUN, WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO THE HEAVY SNOW, MANY WINDOWS WERE BROKEN AND ROOFS COLLAPSED.

POLICE HAD NO EMERGENCY PLANS READY TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION AND WERE UNABLE TO COPY WITH THE HUNDREDS OF CARS LEFT IN STREETS BY STRANDED MOTORISTS.