More than two million Virginians without power.
My nomination for worst day ever? Today.
The worst shooting rampage in American history. Compounded by the cold reality that nothing has changed since Columbine. It can and will happen again.
And literal cold? Yeah, we got that too. Near-record low temperatures. Snow in parts of the south nearly a month into spring. Winds gusting over 50 miles an hour.
I don't think anything will top September 11, 2001 -- even Katrina couldn't quite knock off the reigning champ -- but man, April 16, 2007 has given it a run for its money, hasn't it?
And let's not forget what a horrific time mid-to-late April has been over the last twenty years:
April 19, 1993 -- Government siege on Branch Davidian compound leaves 79 people dead
April 19, 1995 -- Oklahoma City bombing kills 168
April 20, 1999 -- Columbine massacre leaves 14 dead (including the shooters)
Two weeks ago, on a bright, sunny, warm and peaceful spring day, I rode my motorcycle about 30 miles south of our home to visit the Tech campus once again, always a beautiful place to behold and experience.
As I sat on my bike on the narrow road which surrounds the Tech drill field, at a student crosswalk within view of Norris Hall waiting for the pedestrian traffic to clear, I reflected on the beauty of the campus and the quiet, friendly nature of its smiling, laughing, talking - always talking - students on the move to or from classes or other activities.
The Virginia Tech campus and environs have changed significantly since I graduated from there nearly 35 years ago, the student body has nearly doubled, but the students seemed to be just like those with whom I had attended that wonderful university all those years ago.
When my wife and I first sent our sons off to Virginia Tech nearly a decade ago, we had no concerns about their safety, and we were glad that in order for them to go to college, they were able to get away from home, but not too far away...
My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who were hurt or killed or otherwise affected by yesterday's incomprehensibly senseless tragedy, and especially to those parents who sent their children off to college, thinking that they would be safe and secure.
Yesterday's tragedy was truly a parent's worst nightmare, and it could happen anywhere, anytime.
I will visit Virginia Tech again, soon, and I'm sure it will be beautiful there, as always, but it will be forever different, too. On my next trip to Tech, I will appreciate the campus - and especially the students - even more.
Of the thousands of Virginia Tech students and professors and other staff members and support personnel, it now appears that one student was deeply troubled, became violent and inflicted himself on that previously tranquil community.
One person - that's all it takes to create an unthinkable nightmare.
Steve