Several days of media coverage of the snow storm expected to arrive Saturday night in the Washington, D.C. area has inspired a run on essential items at local grocery stores. Empty shelves were visible in some aisles at Harris Teeter in downtown Bethesda last night. Products being snapped up include the old stalwarts of milk, toilet paper, and paper towels.
Shoppers are dutifully following new health advice from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and are buying whole milk over the low-fat options. Of course, if power goes out due to ice or falling trees, massive supplies of milk will be of little value. Also going fast under RFK, Jr.'s guidelines: red meat.
Snow totals were expected to top 13" in initial guesses, but the National Weather Service Winter Storm Watch is now talking about 5-10" of snow accumulation. Given the decline of area government resilience in the face of even a few inches of snow this century, 5-10" could paralyze the region for days. Back in the 90s, Metrobus and Ride On kept going on major routes under reduced frequency, and Metro certainly ran on underground segments if not aboveground with more intense snow plowing operations. In recent years, the entire transit system shuts down during moderate to heavy snowstorms, and governments urge residents to "shelter in place." Heckuva job, Brownie!
Incompetence of government means you're on your own until plows and utility crews belatedly reach your neighborhood. Make sure you have plenty of batteries for flashlights and a transistor radio to receive news and weather updates in the event of a power outage. Warm clothes and blankets are essential, as well. Shelf-stable milk will be a lot more useful than those perishable plastic jugs people are hoarding. And fill your gas tank at least halfway.
We may be snowed in for weeks! We might never get out again! Noooooo!
ReplyDeleteIt’s winter people so if you
ReplyDeleteLose power just out your perishables outdoors duh that’s a no brainer the person who wrote this article is clearly NOT from the north . Born and raised in Canada here so even 10’inches is an absolute joke of a storm
2:50 - No one asked you to migrate, leave us alone or we will take your country back.
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LMAO, its only 10 inches and maybe some ice. Heck so you stay home Sunday and Monday. I guess that many people in this area really dont like the people that they share a house/home with if they get this upset about a little snow. Make a pot of soup or a stew and some break and a cake or pie. Catch up on that book you have been meaning to read. Watch a few movies. This is not the end of the world. There are places that get this much snow on a weekly basis during the winter and here they panic. LMAO!! The government tells people to stay indoors so that the plows can clear the roads without having to drive around stuck cars owned by people who do not know how to drive in snow. Take the day or even 2 days off from your normal hustle and bustle and enjoy your family and something new or something you have not done is some time. Relax as this is not the end of the world!!
ReplyDeletePanic in the streets. No more toilet tissue!!!
ReplyDelete