By the time the third friend from around the country called on Wednesday to see if we were all right, I finally learned why they were asking. Apparently a “cyclone bomb” had hit the Northeast of the United States, including where we live. I had never heard of a cyclone bomb, nor had I experienced one on Wednesday. Wednesday had been quite windy and it rained a great deal. Nothing had alarmed me, nor had we heard the signal to hide in the basement until a tornado passed.
It turned out that there had been very strong winds in some places, and about 38,000 customers out of one and a half million or so had lost electric power in Connecticut. Many trees had fallen down knocking breaking power lines. Apparently there was also significant wind damage scattered around the Northeast. Of course there are occasional strong windstorms which knock out power and fell trees. So why were my friends so concerned?
For some arcane reason of weather forecasters, this particular event got the specialized name of “cyclone bomb.” That phrase has specific meaning to some scientists. However, it has no such meaning to the general public. Clearly if you take two very charged words, “cyclone” and “bomb,” repeat them frequently on the air and say that a large part of heavily populated areas will be affected, you will scare millions of people. It worked, whether they meant to frighten listeners of not. Hence my worried friends’ phone calls.
Just a head’s up readers. It is bound to snow very heavily for a long time some time this winter. Undoubtedly the wind will blow during this blizzard. However, be wary of terms such as “buried,” “catastrophic,” “unprecedented,” and “crippling.” We are ready and we will shovel and plow and return to regular life in a short time. No need to panic.
Saved By Words 
It seems to be the opposite over here, Elizabeth.
What weather forecasters today predicted as ‘possible showers, heavy at times’ turned out to be a thunderstorm, followed by a torrential downpour. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
That is ironic. Maybe we should send you some of our forecasters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I noticed the forecast for the northeast sounded ominous but I don’t remember hearing ‘cyclone bomb’ – that kind of language that would scare anyone! We’ve had heavy wind and rain here lately but it’s normal for this time of year.
LikeLike
I know that it is normal here too.
LikeLike
I now always assume the weather forecasters are wearing magnifying glasses to blow up and distort the truth right in front of their eyes. How else could they be so sure of the horrendous disasters that never happen?
LikeLike
But it makes a good diversion from politics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes but beware of the polar vortex.
LikeLike
That sounds pretty terrifying too.
LikeLike
A friend from out west wrote and asked if I was OK after the storm she had heard about in the northeast. I didn’t know what she was talking about until I read your post.
LikeLike
Crazy don’t you think. Our friends were more worried than we were.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d never heard of a cyclone bomb either – thanks for sharing. I live in Quebec where cold, snow and blizzards are common during our winters. Yet now, media turn up the fear factor with their dire warnings and exaggerated (often) forecasts. My motto: Be safe, be cautious but use my common sense.
LikeLike
And rush to the store for a loaf of bread!! You might starve.LOL
LikeLike