Eastern US Looks like the Frozen, Frosty Plains of Hoth
The snow that has literally been dumped on the East Coast is officially the most massive winter storm this century. CNN reported today that a total of three deaths have occurred in Virginia, according to the state’s Department of Emergency Management:
The snowstorm prompted an emergency declaration in the nation’s capital, stranded hundreds of motorists, sparked havoc at airports, and threatened to keep hordes of Christmas shoppers indoors.
Ten to 20 inches of snow were predicted for swaths of the country’s mid-Atlantic region. Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said the storm — arriving on the last shopping weekend before Christmas — is “perhaps the biggest we’ve seen in several years.”
Indeed, this has been monstrous. Hardly a winter wonderland, Asheville, North Carolina, has been blanketed in more than a foot of snow in some locations, although accumulation stopped along with precipitation early this morning in most parts of the region. Nonetheless, hundreds of cars (or possibly more) have been reported stranded on large patches of interstate heading into the metro, with people calling into local talk radio stations reporting the fear expressed by families huddled in immobile cars for warmth. Altogether, as of 10:00 AM this morning, more than 120,000 people in the area were said to be without power.
Though the overall magnitude of the storm has been far surpassed in other parts of the country this year already, it is the surprise element that has managed to devastate much of the Easter United States. American Airlines has even canceled flights coming into and out of the Nation’s Capital, as well as Baltimore, and Philadelphia because of the storm activity. At least until the first of the week, it looks like much of the region will remain on lock-down as power companies struggle to restore electricity, and roadways are cleared of the slushy mess that has accumulated since yesterday.
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Even though I know many people are suffering right now because of this terrible snow storm, part of me can’t help to be *a little* glad for it.
Before throwing the first stone, allow me to explain:
You see, the only way any sensible international agreement on climate change will be ever reached, is if the rich nations feel the dire consequences of GW first-hand.
The average American citizen doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the inhabitants of Tuvalu, and they wouldn’t offer a second thought if they heard that the island was swallowed by the rising seas on the 6 o’clock news.
(Granted: Tuvalyu is merely a convenient extreme symbol, but nevertheless it’s a sample of the fact that climate change will hurt the most among the poor.)
No. If the American citizens are ever convinced that this is real and serious, is if they experience it personally.
That said, my heart goes to all the people that are suffering right now with no electricity or transportation. No doubt the captains of industry and investors of oil companies are not havin any trouble whatsoever and are complacently observing the catastrophe they have unleashed from the heated comfort of their offices.
Comment by red pill junkie — December 21, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Hey RPJ,
I certainly won’t be casting any stones. Although I can only express this as a personal sentiment, having the snow was nice in many ways, although the occurrence as a whole has been very dangerous. But regardless of perspectives and the like, I understand your sentiment and think you make an interesting observation.
…But then again, you always do, my friend!
-Micah
Comment by Micah — December 21, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
Oh, I know that you’re definitely NOT in the stone-throwing business, my friend. That was meant for any visitor to your site that might get to read the comment.
I was sure that instead of a rock you’d send a sensible reply, as always
It’s pretty darn cold here in Mexico as well, BTW. We haven’t reached below-zero (centigrades) temps yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Hopefully governments in both our governments will follow the example of Germany, of launching a program to help insulate homes against the harshest winters to come, and in doing so help us save a lot of energy in the process.
Comment by red pill junkie — December 22, 2009 @ 11:38 am