Lessons Learned From the History Making Storm
Well, it’s time for the clean-up now and also to share lessons learned from this historic snow storm.
First: During a crisis store shelves will empty AND they may not be restocked for several days after. The following is a statement issued by the Safeway Corporation yesterday:
Safeway “Our Eastern Division stores are doing their best to get back into shape, but the current storm is keeping employees, grocery deliveries and vendors from reaching our stores. Thank you for your patience and we hope you stay safe.”
Second: Snow is heavy. A fire station in Baltimore had the roof collapse and it destroyed everything inside. There are also egg producers who have had their chicken houses and flocks killed due to roof collapses. If there is a heavy snow and another on it’s way it is wise to clear snow from the roof, especially if you have a flat roof. In Maryland a woman died when her awning collapsed from the weight of the snow.
Thirds: Pumps do run dry. Right now even in areas where there is power the pumps are dry. It may be days before trucks can get in to replenish the supplies.
Fourth: You can become stranded even in a well populated area.
People from all but 10 vehicles that were stranded overnight on snowy roads in Frederick County had been rescued by 2 p.m., the director of Frederick County fire and rescue services said.
The last 10 cars are believed to be abandoned, based on initial information, “but we’re going to make sure we get to all 10 to verify that’s the case,” said Tom Owens, director of Frederick County’s fire and rescue services.
With high winds and whiteout conditions forcing state and county plows to stop running, about 39 cars were stuck on Frederick roads, Owens said. Areas such as Brunswick, Jefferson, Buckystown in the southern part of the county as well as Routes 340 and 15 north of Thurmont were particularly treacherous.
Fifth: You better be prepared at work.
This from a Christian radio station on their facebook page: In a space of 10 seconds word had spread. The running water…has stopped running. “We’re going to have to put everyone on potty rations!!” declares Jack. Y’alls, I can’t handle no running water. I’m done “roughing it”. I’m so over it. You gonna have to prayyyyy this thing fixes itself. Please. Start praying now. There… are 8 very nervous people. Make that 6 – John and Dave are blissfully asleep and unaware.
Nurses at several hospitals were forced to spend the night at work when they couldn’t get home due to road closures.
Sixth: Trash still happens:
Trash and recycles are piling up. The development can’t be plowed because the blowing equipment is breaking down and it’s operators are exhausted. I have been tossing cold cuts to a rather skinny looking red fox behind my development. Feeding birds bread is nice, until a hawk swoops in to grab a snack. (message board at the Washington Post)
Seventh: Power outages don’t resolve themselves:
Delaware and Montgomery Counties each had about 17,000 customers without power this morning.
During the worst of the blizzard, almost 10 percent of PECO’s customers lost power, making this storm one of the worst winter emergencies in the utility’s history, Maher said.
Altogether, about 165,000 customers were without electricity, he said.
Overnight, even after the snow had stopped, the wind was bringing down weighted branches and power lines.
“It was a heavy wet snow followed by blustery winds,” Maher said.
About 1,900 PSE&G customers in South Jersey were still in the dark this morning. About 50,000 lost power at some point during the storm.
More than 5,000 customers in New Castle County, Delaware, were also without power this morning, according to Delmarva Power & Light.
As of yesterday morning, about 14,000 Atlantic Electric customers were still without power from the previous storm. At one point on Saturday, nearly 81,000 customers were without service.
With all these customers without power utility companies have to prioritize. Hospitals and police and fire stations are at the top of the list for power restoration. If you live in a rural area where fewer are affected or if you live in an area where only a few in the neighborhood have power out, you are last.
Eighth: Disasters bring out the worst in people:
A 19-year-old man and a juvenile have been charged with robbing two teenagers of their snow-shoveling profits Saturday in Gloucester Township.
Darian L. Murray of Magnolia and the juvenile were charged Tuesday with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, according to township police.
The 15-year-old victims were robbed of $185, including money they earned during three hours of shoveling, authorities said. The youths were forced to lie face down on the 200 block of the Chestnut Street in the Glendora section as their pockets were emptied, officials said.
Ninth: Disasters bring out the best in people:
From a facebook page:
Our driveway was done in about 2.5 hours with the help of a front end loader. Then the neighbors across the street joined us in helping the two new neighbors get their driveways done. So 4.5 hours outside this afternoon. I’m gonna hurt tomorrow.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/bal-sykesville-fire0211,0,714324.story
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-frederick0211,0,830172.story
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100211_Two_charged_in_theft_of_shoveling_profits.html
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I’m in Northern Virginia, and I second all the above. Points I’ll add: 1. Stores sell out faster and much sooner than many expect. Snow shovels, salt etc were sold out at least 48 hrs before storm hit. Food (milk/meat/bread/produce) shelves were stripped bare fully 24 hours before. Local market stayed technically open but has had no resupply for 3 days.(no milk/meat/etc). Bare shelves.
2. Fuel up your vehicles well in advance. Gas stations run out fast and stay dry for days because resupply trucks can’t get in.
3. Power out affects heat, light, cooking. Gas pumps, ATMs, credit card transactions all stop. Get cash beforehand.
4. If you aren’t stocked well in advance you aren’t likely to
be able to if you wait until the event is upon you.
One principle that I’ve seen again and again as a result of this snowstorm is that if we’re prepared, not only do we feel peace and have necessary things, but we’re more capable of taking care of people (like the widow across my street) who can’t care for themselves. This is taught in “All is Safely Gathered In”, a pamphlet put out by the leaders of the LDS church (my church!), and I’m seeing how important it is.
There were actually two fire stations in MD that collapsed. The people who were stranded did so because they were too cocky. Most of us in the area were very aware that you leave the house at your own risk. I have seen, however, a number of 4 wheel drive vehicles that thought they were smart. That being said, around here I know that if I want groceries before/after a storm, I go to Food Lion, not Safeway. People who are unprepared are often those who waste money needlessly. I went to Food Lion both before and after the storm and it was fully stocked. Safeway, however, was empty.