Because most walked to the stores, that the average commute is tens of miles, sometimes up to 60 miles and the side streets are un-passable, that the main roads are plowed horribly where normal 4-lane roads are now 2-lanes, that the commute that normally takes 1-2 hrs (both ways), would blossom up to 4-hrs each way—and that doesn’t factor in the inevitable accident snarling traffic even worse-— that parking lots are clogged with snow reducing the number of slots by at least 30%, that Metro (underground and bus) aren’t running for those of us that ride the Metro.
Snow is mostly being pushed around. It doesn’t disappear.
Lord knows the local governments, and DC, should be doing a better job, but it isn’t the workers fault in this case.
now that you mention it, it seems like there is a DC snow story about every other year. the same story: the area
can’t handle it. i’ve also never understood why utility wires are above ground with all the ice storms knocking electricity out in the winter. these recurring stories make is seem like Groundhog Day!