I lived in the DC area in high school and experienced a couple of those pre-snow panic sessions. My dad used to laugh and say "You'd think it had never snowed in this town." As I recall, toilet paper was a particularly hot commidity during the pre-blizzard panics.
I must admit that my (adopted) hometown of Houston behaves much the same way when there's a hurricane in the Gulf. ;-)
I know- living in Florida is the same way- the instant there’s a remote possibility we’re getting a hurricane- the weathermen go just over the edge.
Oddly- when we’ve had the REAL hurricanes- they get very sober and serious. The hysteria seems reserved for possibilities :)
> As I recall, toilet paper was a particularly hot commodity during the pre-blizzard panics.
Toilet Paper, Milk, and White Bread, to be precise.
I would have to admit that a storm this size would have people in Wisconsin scrambling... But, we would only be shut down for two days, and would be reopened for business by Monday.