Twenty hours and counting: The wheels in Virginia go nowhere in massive snowjam catas

[Peter1469]

I'm not sure that fellow they interviewed had a choice. He had been at the hospital with his wife getting tested to see whether she was a match to donate a kidney to him and they have a puppy at home, so they had to return. However, I'm sure that many people really didn't need to be on the road.

Certainly not most in the pics above. Especially the big rigs.

[FindersKeepers]

It was snowing so hard the snow plows could not keep up.
They were telling people all morning to NOT drive.
It was being broadcast on every radio, and TV station from Frederick, MD to Richmond VA.
I feel sorry for the children that were dragged into that mess by parents who had been warned not to go there.

And snow tires would not have made any difference. It rained then switched to freezing rain (sleet) and then began to snow. That combined with people around here do not know how to drive in the snow doomed anyone who set out on 95 north or south yesterday. That and I believe they said what started the problem southbound was two or more semi trucks jack knifed and blocked the entire highway.

I probably would have checked the internet, but I never listen to radio and rarely to TV, so I understand how some likely missed the warnings.

However, the media has been over-hyping nearly every hurricane, thunderstorm, and heat wave to where it's like crying wolf, and people start tuning them out.

Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, I'm well aware of what can happen when you're stranded in a car--and my heart goes out to each and every one of them.

[Mister D]

We missed the snow in my area but it got frigid very quickly. 60 on Sunday. 28 on Monday.

[FindersKeepers]

Is got down to around 18 degrees. EV battery life sucks when it gets that low.

I know -- it's virtually nil. That's a big downside to EVs in these situations.

[carolina73]

I wonder how many snowplow drivers stayed at home due to vaccine mandates.

[BenjaminO]

I probably would have checked the internet, but I never listen to radio and rarely to TV, so I understand how some likely missed the warnings.

However, the media has been over-hyping nearly every hurricane, thunderstorm, and heat wave to where it's like crying wolf, and people start tuning them out.

Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, I'm well aware of what can happen when you're stranded in a car--and my heart goes out to each and every one of them.

We learned real quick when we moved into this area 15 years ago to check the road conditions before you go anywhere.
Prior to moving here I had never paid much attention to road and traffic conditions either.
It's not the traffic alone, it's the volume of traffic in and around DC.
And the weather has a large impact on all those drivers so one has to pay attention.

I grew up in Michigan and have seen many many snow storms.
The drivers in this area are the worst I've ever seen when driving in the snow.
Driving in a snow storm with penny loafers and a suit coat?
Or a fancy dress and high heels?
People have no idea how to prepare for winter driving let alone drive into a snow storm.

[BenjaminO]

I wonder how many snowplow drivers stayed at home due to vaccine mandates.

That was not a problem. Actually the main problem was/is people who have covid. The majority of which are not vaccinated.

[BenjaminO]

That's awful.

I sure wouldn't want to be driving an electric car in that mess. Even the ones with gas need to ration how often they turn on the vehicle for heat.

Dehydration would be one of my main concerns--that, and hypothermia. I hope the motorists are sharing their vehicles to prolong the amount of gas they have to stay warm.

What a nightmare. The National Guard should be standing by to airlift the ones who are suffering.

I just saw an update from the governor of Virginia. The National Guard is on stand-by in case they are needed.

[Peter1469]

We learned real quick when we moved into this area 15 years ago to check the road conditions before you go anywhere.
Prior to moving here I had never paid much attention to road and traffic conditions either.
It's not the traffic alone, it's the volume of traffic in and around DC.
And the weather has a large impact on all those drivers so one has to pay attention.

I grew up in Michigan and have seen many many snow storms.
The drivers in this area are the worst I've ever seen when driving in the snow.
Driving in a snow storm with penny loafers and a suit coat?
Or a fancy dress and high heels?
People have no idea how to prepare for winter driving let alone drive into a snow storm.

Prior to COVID telework I always listed to traffic and weather reports. It was critical to avoiding traffic issues.

[BenjaminO]

Certainly not most in the pics above. Especially the big rigs.

The big rigs were the cause of the problem.