I looked out of my office window to see snow falling and these weren’t just flurries. Looked out a few hours later and there was over an inch and a half of snow on the ground. Checked my Twitter newsfeed to see what James Spann and the others had to say and it just didn’t look good. It was only supposed to be a light dusting–but guess what? The God of the Universe can trump all of that. There were a few school closings here and there, but still no word on when I could go home. I hesitantly looked out of my window (again) and the ground was completely covered. This was the beginning of a widespread panic of people trying to pick their kids up from school, head home to avoid iced over roads, hills within their neighborhood, or doing loop-the-loops on the ride home. A little too late, huh?
snowpocalypse (noun)–a snowstorm that is so severe that it causes major problems for businesses, transport systems, and everyone’s daily life; also known as snowmageddonThe worst part about the snowpocalypse was that no one was prepared for it.
Approximately 4,000 children were stuck in school and probably wouldn’t make it home to their parents. Luckily, they were warm, safe, and God Bless the awesome teachers, principals, and school administrators for caring for them. As for me, I had no idea that I would be waking up Tuesday morning only to spend the night at work. Did I mention that I decided last minute NOT to wear my long johns? Cue the violins and heightened emotions. I was happy to look in my laptop bag to find my ear muffins (headband) that I thought I left at home. This brought me some form of contentment with the fact that I probably wouldn’t be going home.
Ran into my friend, Tiff!
The madness continues…
You know it’s more than just a “dusting” when legendary meteorologist, James Spann, rolls up his sleeves–but now abandons his vehicle? Yeah, it’s serious.
I have abandoned my vehicle and am now walking to ABC 33/40. About 1 mile; not bad pic.twitter.com/hfuIfAJuwj | — James Spann (@spann) January 28, 2014
People everywhere stranded on 280 walking to shelters. One of the craziest things I’ve ever seen. @spann pic.twitter.com/1GVcRzbc6W | — Stephen Nix (@Stephen_Nix) January 28, 2014
Some people may not understand Why the South Fell Apart in the Snow. I’ve read and heard a lot of negative comments and people making jokes about our “snow” and it really didn’t sit too well with me. Brian Barrett explained it best:
But if you’re making light of the situation, or more realistically using it to reinforce your view of the South and the people in it as full of backwards blubberers, you are an a**hole. It’s hard to remember sometimes, but things are different in places you do not personally live.
When it snows where you live, the salt and the snowplows are out on the streets before you even wake up. When you talk about six inches of snow in your city, you are almost definitely talking about six inches of snow on the median strip and shoulder, and highways that are slick, but clear. I’d take that over two inches of snow and ice on every major road any day.
When it snows where you live, it is the latest in a string of snowfalls that date back centuries. You own a car with four-wheel-drive for that very purpose. You may even own snow tires. This is great! You are prepared. But waking up in Birmingham to snow is like waking up in New Hampshire to quicksand.
When it snows where you live, you’re able to pick up your kids and get home and sit by the fireplace (you have firewood and a fireplace, because it is cold often). As of two hours ago, 4,000 children were still stuck in public schools—where they spent the night—because their parents had no way to reach them.
Read the rest here.
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Pull two chairs together, grab a blanket and there you have it–a bed.
Day 2: Good Morning! Beautiful view of the Greens on the way to breakfast. I’m very blessed and thankful that those stranded were provided hot meals.
“Give Us Free!” Not quite.
After the shortest-longest ride ever and a few Figure 8’s on the rest of the walk home–we made it!
Hats off to my Southern friends for coming together during a Snow Crisis– but if you have a lot to say and you have no clue what Snow Does To Birmingham or you’re NOT a Southerner–Shut it!
I wonder how those “snow bullies” would make out stranded in a southern swamp.
They wouldn’t like it one bit, Onisha! And I find it ironic that those same “snow bullies” couldn’t handle our Spring/Summer heat. Thank you for reading!
I would be so nervous if my kids were stuck without me even though I knew they were safe. WE are in Texas so…. we’ve never seen anything like this.
It was crazy! We’re already preparing for the worst. I don’t ever want to experience anything like that again.
I remember this day vividly! I work 1 mile ffrom home. Glad I live so close that if I need to, I can walk. Glad that 1 year later they are cancelling school in enough time.
Wow! That is crazy! I hope the snow stops soon :(
Thanks Nancy. It’s not snowing or icy right now, but I hope it doesn’t get bad like it did last year.
Wow, looks like what happened to Dallas about 5 years ago. There were people stranded on the freeways for 2-3 days! It was crazy. People up north don’t understand that snow and ice are a nightmare put together.
That sounds so scary! I felt so bad for those stranded on the freeways. I pray it doesn’t get bad this year.
Oh, I have been on both sides of that fence! I use to live in the South where snow would stop anything, now I live in Texas (which is NOT the South) where they FREAK out over rain.
I remember that big snow. People just don’t get that we are not prepared for the big ones down here in the south because we rarely see a huge snow. That doesn’t make us stupid. I wonder how they would cope with our humidity! :)
Yea, snow in the south is so different than in the north. We are in Nashville and it’s suppose to get bad throughout the day- we shall see. I’m staying home though for sure :)
Living in middle Georgia, I know exactly what you are talking about. It is not uncommon for us to get a light dusting but for it to continue snowing and then stick, wide spread panic ensues. My daughter lives in Smyrna. She was at work when the big snow storm hit Atlanta last year. She had to leave her car in a parking lot and walk home. Thankfully, her husband was at home. He set out walking towards her so she wouldn’t be alone for the entire route and he took her warmer shoes.
I am a born and raised New Yorker and I must admit when I first moved to the south (North Carolina) and we had school closing for the threat of bad weather I couldn’t believe it. Still, now that I have lived here a bit longer I see the reasoning and the caution. I have never experienced anything this bad but I think that is because our schools tend to err on the side of safety…great post!
Great post! I am in Atlanta and snow will shut this city down in no time flat. However, when I post about snow in the south on Facebook, my friends who live in the NE always tease me because we make such an event of snow here. I say it *IS* an event! :-)