Driving on ice...not snow...

[LilyWDW]

Snow and ice in the southern mountain areas is MUCH different then up north. I currently live in NE TN but I was born and raised in Chicago. In Chicago the teams would be out pre-salting and would be out pretty much the WHOLE storm to try and stay ahead... we are lucky to get anything cleared within the day after around here. It is a mess usually for a couple of days.

Now the thing I got a kick out of was the insanity on Friday. People were flocking to the grocery. Now, I understand wanting a few extra things especially if you live really far out... but we had been warned about this storm for a week. I got a few extra things when I did my normal shopping on Monday. There were accidents out side the dang walmart because people were acting stupid and freaking out. It was just crazy!

I would like to get to the store today so I could get my weekly shopping done. Currently waiting for someone to come help clear my driveway because there is a layer of ice under the layer of snow. I spent nearly an hour out there before giving up and I only got it about 1/4 done. If I can get out of my drive I would be fine!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Snow and ice in the southern mountain areas is MUCH different then up north. I currently live in NE TN but I was born and raised in Chicago. In Chicago the teams would be out pre-salting and would be out pretty much the WHOLE storm to try and stay ahead... we are lucky to get anything cleared within the day after around here. It is a mess usually for a couple of days.

Now the thing I got a kick out of was the insanity on Friday. People were flocking to the grocery. Now, I understand wanting a few extra things especially if you live really far out... but we had been warned about this storm for a week. I got a few extra things when I did my normal shopping on Monday. There were accidents out side the dang walmart because people were acting stupid and freaking out. It was just crazy!

I would like to get to the store today so I could get my weekly shopping done. Currently waiting for someone to come help clear my driveway because there is a layer of ice under the layer of snow. I spent nearly an hour out there before giving up and I only got it about 1/4 done. If I can get out of my drive I would be fine!

This is pretty much exactly what I was about to say. I grew up in Massachusetts and live in NC now. People need to take into consideration that the South does not have the resources to deal with this kind of weather. It shuts us down. I think there are about 10 snow plows for my whole county.

Also, flip it around. Southerners have a hard time understanding how a heat wave in a Northern area freaks everyone out. Weeks of 90+ heat wouldn't faze us a bit....but some areas aren't equipped for that.

 

[mhsjax]

We got laughed at too, here in Jacksonville, FL. Years ago we had a little snow and then Ice, Every road was solid ice. It was right before Christmas and everyone was laughing at us because we shut everything down.

We don't have de icing trucks, we don't ever get ice, and I don't know bout you, but even if you are the most experienced driver in ice, do you really want to go across any of our bridges over the rivers when they are iced over, I know that I wouldn't. But for some reason, the northerners just thought we were dump bubbas that didn't know how to drive.

 

[luvmy3]

I live in the Northeast and know a ton of people who can drive in snow, and none of them on ice

 

[kaytieeldr]

The first time I saw a truck putting out salt/sand mixture was this week, but it's a new year new budget

Respectfully, are you sure? Generally, especially with cities and towns, the fiscal year starts July 1. Yeah, I know - just try figuring out in May and June, how much snow your city is going to have the following winter!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now the thing I got a kick out of was the insanity on Friday. People were flocking to the grocery.

Honestly, that's a riot! It happens up here all the time. Now, frankly, given the driving conditions in states not accustomed to the weather you had, I can sort of see stocking up - although the way you did it (with your regular shopping) makes a lot more sense. But here? People go nuts, piling into the supermarkets in advance of anything more than 'chance of flurries'. What do they think - we're going to be snowed in for weeks? If I need something, really, really need it - I'll go to the convenience store around the corner. But I don't get the thinking - you (Northerners) don't have enough food in the house to last two days???????????

 

[torinsmom]

Honestly, that's a riot! It happens up here all the time. Now, frankly, given the driving conditions in states not accustomed to the weather you had, I can sort of see stocking up - although the way you did it (with your regular shopping) makes a lot more sense. But here? People go nuts, piling into the supermarkets in advance of anything more than 'chance of flurries'. What do they think - we're going to be snowed in for weeks? If I need something, really, really need it - I'll go to the convenience store around the corner. But I don't get the thinking - you (Northerners) don't have enough food in the house to last two days???????????

People seem to stock up on milk, eggs and bread around here, which makes you wonder.....are they going to eat french toast at every meal until the roads are clear?

Marsha

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

People seem to stock up on milk, eggs and bread around here, which makes you wonder.....are they going to eat french toast at every meal until the roads are clear?

Marsha

Maybe I live in redneckville...but I think beer outsold milk, eggs, and bread around here .

But, yeah, the grocery store run doesn't make much sense to me. We are going to be stuck here, for what, 2-3 days max? I don't think we will starve to death. I'm perfectly fine with the Northerners and Midwesterners making fun of our grocery storming .

 

[Tinkmom75]

Respectfully, are you sure? Generally, especially with cities and towns, the fiscal year starts July 1. Yeah, I know - just try figuring out in May and June, how much snow your city is going to have the following winter!

I just said it's the first time I saw one. There has been much reduction. Trust me I know. I live in a rural county and everyone has joked for years because the plow trucks don't work on weekends or early am in our county. I have noticed significant reductions in salt and sand put down. The roads are not plowed good here. I drive on roads that don't have dry pavement for weeks or months at a time.

Yes, I have driven on ice. No 4 wheel drive does not work on ice. The only thing that works is slowing down and leaving extra space, but it can be driven on. Is it dangerous, absolutely. I rolled my van going around an icy curve. It wasn't what we would have called a bad day, but that ice was there and my car started sliding and I couldn't recover. There is ice all over on the country roads where I live. We also get freezing rain. If I didn't drive on it then I wouldn't have a job.

That being said, I completely understand that if you are not used to driving on it then you wouldn't be expected to. We drove back from FL in November and in TN the temp was below freezing and there was snow in the mountains. I was scared for black ice there. Also it was night My DH drove thank goodness. I couldn't believe how fast the cars and semi trucks were going.