Reflections on a city that doesn't know how to handle snow.
Remember February 2014 when Atlanta was the laughingstock of the country for having citywide gridlock, with tens of thousands of cars stranded on the roads overnight, because of an inch or two of ice and snow?
Atlanta sure does!
We call that embarrassing episode Snowmageddon, and every Atlanta resident has their own story of that day–nights spent in cars, kids stranded at schools, etc. It all happened because when the snow-and-ice storm swept in during the early afternoon, all schools decided to let out early, and every parent in downtown Atlanta headed toward the ‘burbs at the same time to get their kids…along with everyone else. On a sheet of ice. Suddenly all the 18 wheelers on the highways started skidding. Accidents abounded at the same time every car in Atlanta was on the road at the same time. And hey presto: instant gridlock on every road in the city.
Well, roughly one year later, another snowstorm is likely to sweep in today about the time that school lets out. So what do the schools do? They all close. All of them. The Governor declares a state of emergency. And everyone hunkers down.
I took this picture on my way to a breakfast meeting, on a road that is usually completely backed up with rush hour traffic at 7:45 am. Today: nothin’. Normally, the rush hour trip would take me 30 minutes. Today: 11. Everyone is at home, indoors, waiting for the forecasted storm to arrive. Around 3pm.
Since Jeff is from Michigan and both of us have lived in Boston and New York, we find this somewhat amusing. A city of 6 million people is closed because a snowstorm might be coming. In seven hours.
Well, at least I can get to my meeting quickly!
Totally agree! I live in Atlanta too and remember last year. embarrassing! this year, also embarrassing. It’s just cloudy and cold outside. not even raining. My driveway is only partially damp. I get it that the city doesn’t have much in the way of road equipment and no one has snow tires or even shovels, but a state of emergency? really? But hey, my commute to the city will be a breeze! For that, I’m thankful too! thanks for the post!
LOL … oh, my. As a transplanted southern who’s spent time in Alaska and Montana, I also chuckle at the “emergency” states that get declared in a southern winter. Glad your commute was fast and easy!