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Show l THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 1993 While Moab has been uncharacteristically quiet for the last few weeks , there are still some members of the community who are so concerned about the rapid development and uncontrolled growth of Moab, they believe desperate measures are needed. And so, in an effort to appease all aspects of Grand County, we are pleased to announce a new regular feature, entitled... Scare Tactic of the Month Bizarre Summer Blizzard Strikes SE Utah Thousands stranded as tourists dig out Moab, Utah (ZPI) "I haven't seen nothing like this, not in my lifetime and I've lived here all my life." Remarks like that have been common in this southeast Utah town since Wednesday, when a freak snow storm dumped more than four feet of snow over much of the Colorado Plateau. It is the first time in human memoiy that a measurable amount of snow has been recorded on the 21st of July. And measurable it was. Here in Moab, 51 inches of the white stuff was recorded; thousands of tourists, dressed in summer garb and not prepared for cold weather, were caught completely off guard. European visitors, particularly, were not amused by the dramatic change in the weather. Several German visitors, clad only in fish net bikini briefs and a gold chain, were treated for minor frostbite and hypothermia. "We think this snow very bad for relations with my country," said a tourist identified only as Ludwig. "I did not come here for snow... why you Americans do this to me?" Other tourists were more philosophical about the ordeal. "If it only happens once in a lifetime, we're glad to be here," said Fred Gastie of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. 'We got some great shots with the camcorder." However, the seriousness of the freak blizzard cannot be overstated. Western travelers are being rerouted around southern Utah until the crisis has passed, and some experts are saying a complete thaw may not come until next spring. "If you really care for your loved ones, you'd better go somewhere else, said the Grand County sheriffs office. "Protect your loved ones...go to Arizona where it's hot and dry." That's advice we can all live with. Next month: Extraterrestrial landings near Arches National Park point to alien invasion. PAGE 37 |