The Capital of the World’s Strongest Nation…is Paralyzed by One Inch of Snow
Recent weather forecasts predict that the eastern United States will soon face an apocalyptic winter storm, and models project that approximately two feet of snow could fall between New Jersey and Kentucky. Last night, the snow started to fall over Washington D.C., and apparently it took only one inch to bring traffic around the capitol to a grinding halt.
The Washington Post reported that when things turned cold very early in the morning, a combination of flash freezing and untreated roads caused a nine hour traffic jam on the D.C. Beltway. Authorities in Virginia and Maryland admitted that they did not prepare roads in anticipation of last night’s dusting, but defended themselves by saying the immediate forecast only called for a few inches, and they were worried that chemically treating the roads at that time would only create more ice.
“This is an unbelievable situation. It’s just a dangerous situation, and the authorities are doing absolutely nothing. I just don’t understand,” motorist Robert Fletcher told WaPo over the phone.
The chaos has already led to over 150 traffic accidents, with closures and extended travel times all over the city. Fox reported that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is advising people to stay off the roads until treatment crews can address the snow and ice, and that she plans to give a press conference on the matter later today.
Even President Obama couldn’t get away from the snow, for while traveling back from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, he had to leave his helicopter so his motorcade could slip and slide for an hour and a half as they traveled back to the White House.
The storm isn’t expected to truly come down until later this week, but as Twitter users pointed out, it has already been enough to cause outrage and further problems around the capitol:
Handmade sign reads “too icy” before a huge hill. Where were salt & sand before the storm?! #vigilante #dcsnow pic.twitter.com/g0KS7QM9mk
— Kimberly Suiters (@ABC7Suiters) January 21, 2016
DC Mayor Bowser to declare snow emergency shortly after noon Friday to clear streets, focus on approaching storm.
— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) January 21, 2016
Cannot make it up. This DC truck salting the roads said macomb st is too icy. He has no grip and cannot move. pic.twitter.com/R0Y0SFbqke
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 21, 2016
All terrorists really need to do to cripple Washington, DC is steal a snow maker from a ski resort. Grind it to a halt with an inch of snow
— Rich Zeoli (@Richzeoli) January 21, 2016
Got this from the old lady, exits are closed on 66 due to abandoned cars pic.twitter.com/7LwrAmEoK3
— Mike Lynch (@M_Lynch_) January 21, 2016
DC legit had a meltdown last night over ONE INCH OF SNOW. We are doomed this weekend.
— CraftyMommyEsquire (@LegallyKeeKey) January 21, 2016
The morning after and people in DC are still crashing into parked cars. #DCSnow. pic.twitter.com/HBNk8iEhRl
— Brandt Anderson (@BrandtAnderson) January 21, 2016
Watch a report on the storm in the video above, via Washington Post.
UPDATE – 10:53 A.M. EST Ahead of her press conference, Mayor Boswer gave a sense of what was coming by offering an apology to all of those affected by the city’s non-response to the storm.
Last night the District failed to deploy the necessary resources in response to the snow – for that I am sorry.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 21, 2016
During the speech itself, Bowser went on to describe the total effect the storm has had on the city, while offering further apologies for the inconveniences.
JUST IN: DC mayor declares State of Emergency ahead of winter storm; says public schools to be closed Friday. pic.twitter.com/jwFtTkrUdl
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) January 21, 2016
JUST IN: Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declares a snow emergency effective tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM.
— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2016
[h/t NBC]
[Image via screengrab]
— —
