The Whiteout Effect: Rescue Me!

By Parker Kelly and Cal Orey

The Whiteout Effect: Rescue Me! revolves around a chain of events that evolve about a rare Sierra Nevada late-winter blizzard based at the popular iconic town of South Lake Tahoe, California, as well as the personal relationships of a team of first responders’ rescue efforts. The captivating story explores bravery, dedication, and sacrifice as the characters risk their lives during an unpredictable dangerous epic storm.

The main premise of The Whiteout Effect is centered on a group of first responders led by first responder ALEX CALLAHAN (a scorned, independent paramedic), and MIKE ARMSTRONG, a strong and sensitive firefighter, who are trying to save lives during a monster blizzard. Alongside their work mission, there is also a budding relationship of Alex and Mike (who escape work stressors to go on a short adventure-seeking snowmobile trip in the backcountry), playing down the hype of the storm, adding a layer of emotional depth to the story.

Throughout the adventure-romance, readers are taken on an exciting roller-coaster ride as the characters navigate unexpected life-threatening whiteout conditions and face deadly challenges in their own fate. If you liked The Day After Tomorrow, you’ll love this heart-pounding cautionary tale of the power and destruction of nature while highlighting the vulnerability, passion, and skill set of those who save lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798823026420

Parker Kelly

PARKER KELLY had previous extensive training with EMS (Emergency Medical Services) classes while attending the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Kelly also attended St. Mary’s University, where she majored in English (Creative Writing). She was employed more than two decades with a major airline, enjoying her fast-paced career training and organizing group travel. As a fearless adventure seeker, her hobbies include ocean kayaking, mountain hiking, and snow skiing, and she drives a Jeep Honcho. The author is a wife, mom, grandmother, and dog parent, including two fun-loving shepherds. She lives in Texas, so twisters, storms, earthquakes, and Gulf Coast hurricanes are part of her life in the South. CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, history, romance, and science. She holds two degrees in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the Healing Powers series, and the Soulmates with Paws trilogy (includes real-life tales that’ll make you cry and your heart pound). She lives in South Lake Tahoe, California, with an Australian shepherd and a dog-loving Siamese cat. Nature-loving Orey has weathered snowstorm road closures, whiteouts, and spinouts, and survived the 2024 rare Sierra blizzard. Her website is www.calorey.com

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© 2024 Parker Kelly, Cal Orey. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of creative fiction based on true events. Some of the

characters, names, and dialogue in a few of the fictitious scenes

are enhanced for dramatic effect. In this novel, some names of

the characters, dialogue, and places have been altered for creative

purposes. While inspired by real-life events, they have taken artistic

liberties in presenting a fictionalized version of these elements.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/24/2024

ISBN: 979-8-8230-2643-7 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-2642-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024909550

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedications

Prologue

PART 1       Homeward Bound

Chapter 1     Heartbreak and Survival

Chapter 2     Sierra Storm Warning!

Chapter 3     Winter Haven Fire Station

PART 2       The Call of the Wild

Chapter 4     Blizzard Calls 9-1-1

Chapter 5     Escaping the Snow-Pocalypse!

PART 3       Unforeseen Storm Saviors

Chapter 6     Lost in A Whiteout

Chapter 7     Frozen Isolation

Chapter 8     The Long Way Home

About the Authors

DEDICATIONS

I dedicate The Whiteout Effect to my Australian shepherd Cooper. She was my crazy Frisbee-chasing, ocean-kayaking copilot, beach-bum girl that I miss every single day! I can’t remember a time in my life that I was without a dog. I feel at times I resonate more with animals than people. It’s the unconditional love that four-leggers have given me that makes each one unforgettable and forever close to my heart and spirit.

—Parker Kelly

In my lifetime, more than once, I have been rescued by fearless first responders. I will always remember their bravery, patience, and ability to cope with alarming challenges. As an author who has written about adventure and natural disasters, The Whiteout Effect moves me on multi-levels. God bless the hardworking, resilient workers who respond nobly ASAP to 9-1-1 calls and face the unknown.

—Cal Orey

PROLOGUE

LOST IN A WHITEOUT

Day 6

Snowfall rates begin to taper off, but strong winds continue to cause drifts and blowing snow. Road crews work to clear roads, but progress is slow. Residents in affected regions are advised to hunker down, avoid travel.

Snowmobiles in the backcountry. I felt like we, as hardworking first responders, earned a thrilling adventure. Sure, the storm was big. But I still believed the media hype was making the epic blizzard bigger than life itself. Maybe the reports increase ratings, I thought. Or fresh powder is a lure for tourists and snow-loving folks.

Is it still dumping, Mike? I asked the South Shore local firefighter on my cell phone while viewing on the TV the storm update alert for Greater Lake Tahoe region.

Bijou Pines looks like a white winter wonderland, he said. Not a mega MONSTER dangerous storm.

Truth be told, it had snowed an additional two feet at lake level in some regions, and more. The rumor among locals was, we were coming to an end to the snowfall in a day or two. The online media still flaunted shocking headlines of 12 Feet of Snow Headed Toward Tahoe!

Here come the tourists, I thought. More gridlock. More spinouts. I knew the drill. No matter. We were taking our epic day trip to the backcountry. As hardworking first responders, we deserved a break. A small, sensationalized Sierra storm wasn’t going to stop our getaway.

We’ve had bigger storms.

Locals ride out here at Christmas Valley and Hope Valley in the backcountry, so we should find some trails we can use, I said.

I’m not an adrenaline junkie—maybe a tad—but this is my type of adventure, Mike added.

The plan was to load up the sleds and head out. I was packing my rucksack just to have a few extra dry socks, gloves, paracord, and ski masks. Skyler was running through the house; he was barking and smiling. I suppose my energetic pup was picking up on my energy and sensed he was tagging along.

The sound of truck tires on fresh snow grabbed my attention. Mike. Right on time! I grabbed my jacket and rucksack and called out for Skyler.

ALEX, Dad yelled from the kitchen, if it starts looking bad, you both get home right away. Don’t wait it out, you hear?

Copy that, Dad. I saluted, closing the front door.

I could feel myself slightly tense but excited to spend the day with Mike and Skyler. Finally! After a grueling week of incoming calls at the Winter Haven Firehouse, a snow day was welcome. We both had waterproof gear, and layering was always smart in this climate. Whistle, maps in case of poor phone service, and plenty of water. And we completed a quick maintenance check on both sleds. Coolant levels, check. Belt tension, check, and plenty of fuel. Putting our phones in waterproof bags and snugging them close to our chests for warmth—check.

On my rents’ property, I took off in front, leading by a good stretch, not taking notice of the drop in temperature and the winds picking up. Clouds covered the sky in dark-gray layers thick enough to block the sun. A heavy snow began to fall, so we stopped to check the GPS. Looking ahead, I could no longer make out any trails. I checked Skyler and took a few sips of water while Mike was holding his phone upward, trying to get service.

Pulling my phone out, I hollered back at him, No signal either, Mike! First responders know how to deal with emergencies. That’s what we do. It was a storm, for God’s sake, not a nuclear meltdown.

We decided to keep going even though the trails were covered in deep snow, deeper than I’d seen for a long time. Heading north, we covered quite a bit of ground, fighting the strong wind gusts that kicked up. Coming around a bend, I started to smell something burning. I stopped in my tracks, only to notice a smoke billowing from my snowmobile. Quickly turning the sled off, I saw that Mike was whirling around and heading my way.

Mike stopped and walked over to me, and Sky still snuggled in my jacket for warmth.

It might be the oil ratio, but it’s new, I said to Mike as he looked perplexed.

It’s dark smoke, Alex. It could be engine or fuel issues, Mike muttered. The smoke dissipated, so I tried to start the sled. NOTHING! I adjusted the choke, trying again. NOTHING.

Mike, I think the battery is dead.