I lived in Mt. Vernon from 74' through 96' and then in Spokane through 01'. In Southern California now and have no idea how to add anything remotely soothing to you in this thread. You just gotta make it to April and out-survive the unfortunate souls trapped in the greater Minnesota/Michigan/Dakotas region.
On a side note, can you park the car near the fallen tree and claim that the tree fell on the door at the same time it damaged the sewer system, neighbor's property, etc., thus claiming an act of God on the insurance reimbursement forms?