Simba: A couple weeks ago, we had a severe ice storm. It went on for about two days solid, and in some areas, the power was off for more than seven days. our power was went on and off during the storm. When it's off for an extended period, our sump pump stops working and water floods the basement.

I decided to stay up all night, because with ice coating everything, sleep was not an option. The last time y caregiver looked, the ice was a half-inch thick and still accumulating. The situation was becoming dangerous. I hadn't seen an ice storm like that since I was a kitten, about thirteen years ago.