Clearly you weren't in the Blizzard of '78. Martial law and a state of emergency for one week. 10,000 cars abandoned on route 128.
We had M-60's (Sheridan tanks) trying to clear I-65.
I was absolutely in the middle of that! Best three day vacation in my life!
But, for the past thirty years, every time it snows people start worrying its going to be the '78 Blizzard all over again.
My point is that the media hype on weather is so intense, that when it really matters some folks dont pay attention.