Snow piles up, paralyzing nation's capital ('huddle at home' & out of the way of emergency crews)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 2/6/10 | Nafeesa Syeed - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON – A blizzard battered the Mid-Atlantic region Saturday, with emergency crews struggling to keep pace with the heavy, wet snow that has piled up on roadways, toppled trees and left thousands without electricity.

Officials urged people to huddle at home and out of the way of emergency crews. Forecasters said the storm could be the biggest for the nation's capital in modern history.

A record 2 1/2 feet or more was predicted for Washington. As of early Saturday, 10 inches of snow was reported at the White House, while parts of Maryland and West Virginia were buried under more than 20 inches. Forecasters expected snowfall rates to increase, up to 2 inches per hour through Saturday morning.

Blizzard warnings were issued for the District of Columbia, Baltimore, parts of New Jersey and Delaware, and some areas west of the Chesapeake Bay.

[Nickname]

Wow. I was thinking earlier how lucky we are that we haven’t had any drifting at our place. This storm, while bad, could have been much, much worse.

We’ve gotten a good 30” but it’s finally starting to taper off here in Northern VA.

Now I’m hoping that a regular plow can get us out and we don’t have to find someone with a backhoe. The snow’s heavy and we’re up a bit of a hill.

[GeronL]

Small miracle, DC is paralyzed.

[ClubCaved]

I’m watching the Pens-Canadiens on TV and the announcers think the Pens are planning to fly to Richmond and take a bus north. You may beat them to Verizon Center. :)

[Roccus]

I’m in Upshur, so you’re north of me as well as higher. You folks got slammed. Didn’t really start snowing here till around midnight. I guess it started much earlier by you. Been some traffic on my road since the 4 wheelers got done so it’ll prolly get me to the 4 lane with no problem tomorrow.

[dfwgator]

Do you have any lemon snow cones?

[onemiddleamerican]

The Lincoln Memorial is seen in the background as a couple walk in the falling snow by the Korean War Memorial toward the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, in Washington, as a massive snow storm hit the Washington area. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

[onemiddleamerican]

A statue at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, is covered in snow, on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, as a massive snow storm hit the Washington area. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

What channel??

Richmond airport is closed.

I’m looking at DC traffic cams in the Verizon center area and there are cars on the streets.

What means ClubCaved?

[Windflier]

And exactly what has Precedent Obama done to handle this national emergency?

Where’s FEMA? Where’s the trailers? Where’s the National Guard? Where is all the help for the peoples from Uncle Sugar?

He’s done NOTHING, I tell you! NOTHING!...g...g...g...g...g...

[onemiddleamerican]

Snow is seen on a statute at the Korean War Memorial, in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, as a massive snow storm has hit the area with snow expected to continue throughout Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

[onemiddleamerican]

Snow covers a statue of the 18th U.S. President Ulysses Grant in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, February 6, 2010. A blizzard producing heavy snow and powerful winds pummeled the U.S. mid-Atlantic on Saturday, causing at least two fatalities and paralyzing travel in the region. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT POLITICS)

[umbagi]

Thanks — great shots! The first time I saw the Korean War Memorial it was covered in snow, and it’s hard to think of many things more visually moving for an American.

[Windflier]

...the Obama cheering corps...er...the government.

Shouldn't that be "the Obama cheering corpse?

[Windflier]

Unfortunately, I won’t be driving anywhere soon. A 70ft pine tree is lying across my car.

Bummer. Glad you weren't in it when the tree fell. We need all Freepers to stay in good fighting condition until we throw Zero out on his butt.

Hope your insurance handles your loss.

[workerbee]

Those are some eerie pictures.

[Indy Pendance]

We have to plow ‘doggy’ spots for our critters. Or else, they do their business on the patio.

There is weather on the west and east coast. Us in flyover, ho-hum, what’s another 15” of global warming on top of the 12” four days ago and 10” last week.

Stay safe you Yankee easterner conservatives. We’re praying DC is shut down until November.

[Windflier]

It’s nice to know your background, isn’t it! More to tell the grandchildren about the olden days and family history.

Speaking of the timings of births...

When I was about twelve, I once (very innocently) asked my mom if I had been born prematurely. She said, "No, honey, why do you ask?" I replied, "Well, you and daddy were married in December, and I was born the following June." She didn't say a word, but gave me a look that darn near burned a hole in my forehead.

LOL

[AGreatPer]

Penguins are going to fly into Newark then bus down to DC for tomorrows game at 1 PM. Confirmed.

[NormsRevenge]

Mr. FReeze's Revenge. ;-)

[DukeBillie]

For years people have said hell would have to freeze over before the Saints made it to the Super Bowl. Today Washington DC is being hit with a record-setting blizzard. Coincidence or does God have a sense of humor?