Well said, SoonerDave.
I mean, would you expect Chicago to be prepared for an F4-F5 tornado? Yes, something like that can *technically* happen in that area, but its very rare. Likewise, when an epic blizzard not seen since in decades hits, especially with as little warning the Christmas Eve 09 storm had, its foolish to expect everything to be back to normal in 24-48 hours. Heck, the last major snowstorm to hit NYC (December 2010,) everything wasn't plowed for at least 6 days.
I will also say, with apologies for those I offend, that the lack of personal preparation for many in this state is far more troubling than anything the city does. I grew up a military brat and had to live in both Alaska and North Dakota. Everyone there knew the drill in the winter. Have a good FWD or AWD car with plenty of antifreeze and good snow tires (The truck/SUV ownership rate is far lower up there than here). Have blankets and a small shovel in the car just in case. Keep about 3 days worth of food and medicine in the house when a big storm is forecast. Most importantly, have the sense to know when its appropriate to go out and just hunker down at home with some hot cocoa and some movies until its safe to go out.
The "drill" in Oklahoma? Go to the grocery store the night before. Fight and elbow others in some post-apocalyptic scene and grab 20 loaves of bread. When the storm hits and you realize that you have nothing to go with said bread (or if you just get bored), get in your giant SUV or lifted truck with bald tires, conditions be damned, and go see if there's a Wal Mart open. Pray to God you don't get stranded/stuck and if you do, hope that there's an even bigger idiot with a bigger truck/SUV who can tow you out. When you finally get home and have to stay in the house for an extra day or 2, complain loudly about being stuck inside, how terrible the plowing is, how you trudged through the snow barefoot when you were a kid, how "weak" everyone is, etc. etc.
The sad thing is I am only slightly exaggerating, and in all seriousness, I am really surprised that more people have not perished during previous bouts of winter weather.
Fortunately, I will be in South Texas for Christmas, so I will get to miss out on all the fun. I was actually ready to call BS on the coming snow; however, the guy on the youtube video clip below tends to know his stuff pretty well and is forecasting a pretty significant snow event:
Major winter storm COULD develop next week!!!!!!! - YouTube
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