Georgia’s Infamous Ice Storm of 2014
Under Estimating Nature will put you in the Spot Light!
On January 28, 2014 The State of Georgia experience one of
the most severe Winter and Ice Storms in the History of its existence. Although the News Broadcasters gave an
accurate assessment predicting when the snow would fall and approximately how
much would fall, they were unable to give foresight into the complete GRIDLOCK
the State would undergo. In an effort to
evacuate approximately 1.2 Million people out of the city of Atlanta,
specifically Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead; within a matter of minutes GRIDLOCK
took every commuter by sudden surprise.
The gust of snow flurries immediately turned into slush on the streets
and with temperatures below freezing it was only a matter of time before the
once snow flurries turned from slug to ice.
A since of urgency immersed for the drivers to take their
normal commute home; not knowing the Interstates, side streets and main roads
would become an ice rink. The term
Georgian’s like to use is “Black Ice,” which is a sleek sleet of Ice that
covers the entire road, but when looking at it, it appears to be harmless. This perception is the furthest thing from the truth. Although, Georgia is a diverse State with
all walks of life many were not accustomed to driving on roads
under such harsh conditions which cause thousands of accidents. Governor Nathan Deal calls for a STATE OF
EMERGENCY: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/governor-nathan-deal-atlanta-georgia-snow-storm-102875.html
when the Public School transportation was
unable to complete all their routes to bring the students home as
anticipated. School Bus Drivers were
only able to complete one out of three routes leaving children and parents to fend
from themselves. To paint a vivid
picture for you the reader, most of the Parents were stuck in the mass exodus
from their employment areas, while their children were at their Schools awaiting their arrival. Thousands of students
were stranded all over the State. Many
young students whom had never been away from their Parents had to spend the
night at their School with Teachers, some were stuck on the Interstate on
School Buses, some were rescued and taken to a local Kroger were they were fed
and given chairs to wait out the storm.
Who would have known the storm would last the entire night and following
morning? Multiple Tractor Trailers jack-knifed
on the interstate crossing all lanes and preventing any passage ways, which caused
a major backup and delay. Many cars were
running out of gas, sliding into embankments, ditches, and other cars because
of the lack of salt and gravel trucks to combat “The Black Ice.” Georgia was completely shut down! http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/01/29/snowstorm-travel-disruption-south/5010845/
Mayor Kasim Reed was unapologetic at the complete lack of
communication between the School Board, Corporations, and small business of
Atlanta, and around Atlanta. His only
resolution was, “Next time we need to stagger the times people were let go.” Let go from the businesses so Atlanta wouldn't
be an instant GRIDLOCK. Good Luck with
that Mayor Reed. Although there was no traffic control in site,
or salt trucks, many sat idle at traffic lights and watched them changed
between Ten to Fifteen times before moving an inch, but there was still a since a calmness and
patience among the commuters. Many
commuters were quoted saying, “A normal route to work and back is anywhere
between 20-45 minutes.” But because of the
lack of preparation, leadership and traffic control, a once enjoyable ride
turned into a day shift inside your car.
An unbelievable Five to Twelve hours
on the road, and some commuters Twenty-Four to Thirty-Two hours due to
the conditions of the roads, interstates, access roads and bi-ways. The State of Georgia even experienced a
birth on I-285, because of the traffic jam.
http://www.weather.com/news/baby-grace-doing-great-after-mom-gives-birth-car-atlantas-gridlocked-i-285-20140129
In closing, it was a blessing that the PEOPLE of Georgia did
in fact “RISE UP” to the occasion by pulling together with supreme acts of kindness and generosity. Additionally, a
Facebook Group page by the name of Snowed
out Atlanta Eastside: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1423404561232097/
was set up a to help love ones communicate with each other, offer a plea for
help for stranded love ones, as well as services offered by residents in many
of the troubled areas were willing to give a
helping hand to those who were in dire straits. History has proven it has always been the
people who rally together to solve crisis situations, We the PEOPLE for which
we Stand! The CREW Royalty Chronicles
would like to give an honorable salute to everyone who was apart of the
SOLUTION: One of our motto is: Team work makes the DREAM
work!! Tune into our blog at www.thecrewisroyalty.blogspot.com
