Record-breaking storm closes US federal government

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 12/21/09 | Stephanie Griffith

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The federal government was closed Monday after a record-breaking snowstorm swept across the northeastern United States and put a damper on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.

Just days before Christmas, the eastern seaboard from North Carolina to New England was digging out from the worst blizzard in years, which closed train and bus service, paralyzed air traffic, crippled motorists and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power in some areas.

Americans pining for a white Christmas got more than they bargained for, with local officials urging residents to hunker down indoors as record snowfall wreaked havoc on roadways.

And with the roads and transportation in disarray, many churches canceled Sunday services and some schools planned closures ahead of the December 25 holiday.

Commuters faced uncertainty on Monday, as the region struggled to clear persistent snow and ice. Federal agencies and local jurisdictions were closed, with all workers except emergency employees excused from work.

In Washington, crews worked throughout the night to restore service to the Metrorail system, de-icing tracks and digging train cars out of the snow in rail yards.

The storm was a blow to the already reeling retail sector, which had been counting on cash registers ringing loudly on "Super Saturday" -- traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year -- to make up for weeks of lackluster sales.

"I think we can safely say that sales in the Washington region were crippled," National Retail Federation vice president Ellen Davis told AFP.

[Boiler Plate]

It's an Obamicle! The Big O goes to Copenhagen for a day and Global Warming is over! Break out the leaded gas.

[Carley]

They can’t clear the roads days after a storm but they want to control my health care.

And there are actually morons who think they’re going to benefit from this disaster.

[OldMissileer]

Instead of staying home people were out traveling in this storm.

I-95 was basically a parking lot because of the snow and accidents. The State Police local LEs could not get to many of the accidents and other calls because I-95 was so clogged with traffic.

I know it is Christmastime but this was a major storm for this area and people were just to stupid or selfish to stay home.

[RoadTest]

AMEN!

[keving]

What records are being broke? I am near philly and we have more snow than this before. I also see the weather-tainers referring to storms as category 4 and 5.

I guess that is a little like being a “Master” Carpenter. Good for TV but does not exist.