The Vent and Rant Thread

[bjones6416]

I guess Pooh is sleeping the sleep of the exhausted, but KK, I wonder if they even were "advised to stay off the roads." In spite of what was reported after the fact on national news, we certainly weren't two weeks ago. Maybe the same thing happened in Raleigh. It amazes me how the media can revise history, lol!

[cromag]

Breathe deep, poohbear_nc. Please don't shorten your life. Who'll play the "mouse" word on the "Disassociation" thread?

The snow is just starting. We're due to get 12 to 14 inches at last word, starting as snow through the night, changing to ice and then sleet tomorrow, and back to snow tomorrow night. They now say it might continue snowing through Friday morning.

We live at the end of a long dead end. Since we don't have through traffic, we get plowed last. Except this time, the plows only got halfway up the street. At our end the "street" is under no less than two inches of packed snow and ice. One of my brothers in another town was saying he needs to get a four wheel drive vehicle to get home.

I need a Zamboni.

Of course, by Friday my "home" might just be a largish bump in the snow.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

I guess Pooh is sleeping the sleep of the exhausted, but KK, I wonder if they even were "advised to stay off the roads." In spite of what was reported after the fact on national news, we certainly weren't two weeks ago. Maybe the same thing happened in Raleigh. It amazes me how the media can revise history, lol!

yeah, I get that. my point is that sometimes you just have to say no. if you're not getting the clear indicators from the people in charge, then you need to look to the other indicators, and then you kind of have to say... you know what? I'm going to be late, or not in, or not even say anything and if it wasn't an issue after all be able to come up with a flat tire story, or hey! unless they know you real well, graphic descriptions of being lactose intolerant!!!!

sorry but not sorry.... almost died toooooo many times due to severe weather and idiots on the road

[Stitchawl]

When I lived in Vermont, by October everyone had a box in the car's trunk with two large candles, 2 Bic lighters, wool blankets and space blankets, wool socks, wool hat and gloves, and bags of peanut butter candy, M&M's, GORP, granola bars, pop tarts, a couple of bottles of water, and a few empty water bottles, etc., etc. It's surprising just how warm a car can get from the output of one single candle. No one I knew would ever consider getting into a car in winter without these things. An no one would drive out in a storm. When we'd get a storm coming in, my boss would call and tell me that he expected to see me, but allowed that I'd be an hour or two late because he knew I'd be coming into work on X-C skis rather than by car.

These days, we don't get into a car for a day's outing without a few bottles of Electrolyte Replacement drinks... As the say in Thailand, 'same, same... but different!'


Stitchawl

[orlok]

Glad you made it home safely in the end, pooh. At least we have cell phones to keep in touch and let people know what is happening. I once drove to London in the snow for a client meeting (before the days of mobiles) which took me 8 hours, only to find that they had cancelled the meeting...so I got back in the car there and then to make the return journey. I did decide after that to get a car phone.

[bjones6416]

You're right, Orlok, cell phones have been a game changer. During our huge gridlock fiasco a couple of weeks ago, everybody that I personally know that was trapped in their cars for so many hour was able to keep in touch with family and friends. That goes a long way toward keeping the panic factor down.

[Stitchawl]

Back in the 70's we used CB radios in our cars to keep in touch or contact emergency help. They were a God-send when you skidded off the road into a ditch and needed a tow truck to pull you out!
Plus, you were able to talk like a red-neck truck driver! How cool is that!


Stitchawl (10-4 good buddy! I'm on the side in my home '20.)

[poohbear_nc]

Initially we were NOT told to stay off the roads - all the schools were open - all businesses were open - the officials bragged about how well the roads had been 'pre-treated' so that travel would be feasible. We were told to 'drive carefully.' The forecast was for 'a dusting up to 1-3" of snow - which is NOT an emergency event.

For some reason, the brine 'pre-treatment' seemed to attract & hold the snow - the roads piled up with snow immediately - even the major routes (like route 54 - where I was) - which set off the panic with folks driving way too slowly to maintain traction on the snow-packed surface. The snow started falling at noon - when I left immediately for home. It didn't stop - by the time I got home I walked through mid-shin deep snow - at least 6". I only saw one snow plow - a private plow that was clearing the parking lot of a day care center. The driver threw sand into the road - which was the only way we got up the hill just past the center.

This weather event was woefully under-predicted and under-prepared for - so now everyone is blaming the drivers.

I'm at home in my PJ's today - not going anywhere until Saturday or thereabouts. And I'm NEVER EVER going into work again if snow is predicted. The cats won't let me!

[poohbear_nc]

someone is playing fast and loose with your folks information down there. this from NPR; "The situation led officials to postpone tonight's planned basketball game between archrivals North Carolina and Duke a game that earlier today the state's governor had urged people no to try to attend"

The game was postponed AFTER I got home - I turned on the 6:30 news and the game cancellation was announced as "a bulletin we just received" on their teleprompter. The roads were still gridlocked, and the Duke bus couldn't reach UNC in time. If the bus were on the road, or could make it, the game would have been played - to preserve the TV revenues!

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

For some reason, the brine 'pre-treatment' seemed to attract & hold the snow - the roads piled up with snow immediately - even the major routes (like route 54 - where I was) - which set off the panic with folks driving way too slowly to maintain traction on the snow-packed surface.

Brine is only good for about .5" of snow, after that it's too dilute - it's only about 25% solution to begin with. Brine pre-treating is really only used to stop the snow or ice from gripping to the road (it's supposed to create a layer of slush) until the plows can get it off the road, or more salt is applied. The wetter snow on top of the slush holds more of the incomming drier snow, making a "snow magnet" as more cars grind more snow into the mix. Once it's dilute enough, it will freeze to almost an ice cream sort of texture. The only way to stop this is to add more salt or plow it off before it freezes. Too many cars on the road, the plows (probably none too many in your area to begin with!) can't get through in time, and pre-brining is useless.

One good thing, though. The freezing rain came after there was a layer of snow. The other way around is much, much worse.

[poohbear_nc]

Thank you for your explanation - that's exactly what happened!

You're right about the freezing rain coming last - there's a solid crust over dry powdery snow that is sitting on liquid slush - so if you crack the crust you can shovel/push the underlying stuff off the driveway.

[red_phoenix]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

Brine is only good for about .5" of snow, after that it's too dilute - it's only about 25% solution to begin with. Brine pre-treating is really only used to stop the snow or ice from gripping to the road (it's supposed to create a layer of slush) until the plows can get it off the road, or more salt is applied. The wetter snow on top of the slush holds more of the incomming drier snow, making a "snow magnet" as more cars grind more snow into the mix. Once it's dilute enough, it will freeze to almost an ice cream sort of texture. The only way to stop this is to add more salt or plow it off before it freezes. Too many cars on the road, the plows (probably none too many in your area to begin with!) can't get through in time, and pre-brining is useless.

One good thing, though. The freezing rain came after there was a layer of snow. The other way around is much, much worse.

Definitely. When it happens the other way round, freezing rain first then snow, the snow acts as an insulator and it is nearly impossible to get rid of the ice.

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Thank you for your explanation - that's exactly what happened!

You're right about the freezing rain coming last - there's a solid crust over dry powdery snow that is sitting on liquid slush - so if you crack the crust you can shovel/push the underlying stuff off the driveway.

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

Definitely. When it happens the other way round, freezing rain first then snow, the snow acts as an insulator and it is nearly impossible to get rid of the ice.

I've still got ice from our storm before Xmas. It's mostly buried under 3 feet (or more) of snow in the back yard, but sometimes the dog tunnels deep enough.

I really hate some of the things I've become an "expert" in through too much experience...

[red_phoenix]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

I've still got ice from our storm before Xmas. It's mostly buried under 3 feet (or more) of snow in the back yard, but sometimes the dog tunnels deep enough.

I really hate some of the things I've become an "expert" in through too much experience...

It took us 6 days to clear the driveway of the ice and snow from that storm.

I don't want to think about what is under all that snow in the backyard...or where it will go when it melts.

[bjones6416]

Our freezing rain came first this time, so when it snowed last night it stuck onto the ice already on the trees and wires and made them really heavy. But the sun is out and it's 35 degrees! Trees and power lines have magically dropped their load of ice and all is good! Now it just looks pretty without the menace.