Rough Draft (Essay #3)

The Blizzard of 2009

            During the winter season of 2009, the East coast experienced a record breaking snowfall. Up and down the eastern coast nearly twelve states received two feet of snow or more in one snow fall (Stark). On December, 18, 2009 a moist low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico began moving towards the east coast while high pressure kept to the north of the Mid-Atlantic. This caused snow to fall the evening of the 18^th in the Mid-Atlantic. The snow continued throughout the following day. The blizzard strengthened while moving north resulting to heavier snow throughout Maryland and up to Maine. It covered the region in 16-22 inches of snow. This one snowfall roughly matched average annual snowfall totals of many major cities (Beaven). In result of the blizzard of 2009 schooling and jobs, communities, and holidays throughout the Eastern coast were affected in many ways.

            Unfortunately, during bad weather such as the blizzard of 2009 accidents on the road ways and airline delays are expected throughout the communities. Virginia, alone, blamed the two feet of snow for at least five deaths, thousands of traffic accidents, closed airports and roads, power outages and deserted stored on the weekend before Christmas (Stark). After the snow moved out of many areas, unplowed roads with blowing snow continued to make driving very dangerous for the next couple of days. Police responded to more than 2,900 traffic accidents and disabled vehicles in Virginia, and nearly 1,000 drivers were stranded on the highways. Rescue workers were called to drive along side roads offering drivers/riders to shelters nearby (Stark). Authorities of Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland ordered residents to stay home to give public crews a chance to plow roads and major highways for safety reasons. Many still ventured out into the wonderland. Airports closed or delayed flights leaving many air travelers stranded and sleeping on terminal floors hoping for a flight. In some cases, airlines couldn’t promise everyone would be home for the holidays.

            Due to the road way conditions and canceled/delayed flights the 2009 holiday season was altered for many travelers either traveling to or trying to escape the East coast. Airports outside the storm zone were affected as badly at the airports within the zone. The multiple airports weren’t able to receive flights from or able to land in the East coast (Stark). The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated about 1,200 flights were canceled Saturday and Sunday at the New York region’s three major airports; imagine how many flights were canceled throughout the country as well.