It's been years since my area has experienced a major winter storm like
the one that came through ten days ago, which dropped thick layers of snow and
sleet on the area. That was followed by a smaller storm five days later which
left several additional inches of snow. Thanks to the layer of sleet and
temperatures too cold for ice-melting chemicals to work things are
still not up to snuff.
Depending on where you live, there are multiple entities responsible for clearing the
roads-the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for interstates and
state routes, St. Louis City or County for large arterial and subdivision streets, Municipal street
departments if the street happens to be inside a city's boundaries, or
commercial companies for private streets.
The small sections I traverse on a regular basis are probably better than
most, although there is one left turn lane on a major road that still has a
thick layer of ice on it. The plows moved the snow off
the main driving lanes, but pushed it off to the side such that on-street
parking is impossible. And the sidewalks are also covered with that same
pushed off snow so you have to take your chances walking along the
reduced-width street. There has been some thawing and refreezing,
which makes that walking quite dangerous.
Once the roads were clear potholes started popping up in the streets, some of
them large enough to damage the car's wheels or alignment. All I can do is try to
watch where I'm driving and hope there's not a car in the other lane if I have to swerve quickly.
A third issue is in parking lots, where the plows concentrated on removing
snow off the driving lanes and pushing the snow into piles and around the
perimeter. Now there are tall piles of snow partially blocking many of the
parking spaces. Most lots have so many spaces unavailable people are getting aggressive trying to park their vehicle.
It's supposed to get substantially above freezing over the weekend, which
should allow a lot of the snow to melt. I can't wait!
I think the piles on the parking lots are going to be around for quite awhile.
ReplyDelete[Sigh]. I think you're right. I just want em them to shrink enough so cars can use more of the spaces.
DeleteThe blasted piles on the corners of intersections aren't permitting a driver to see if anyone is coming from the left or right in order to enter the intersection safely! Might be July before those piles melt. Maybe I should call the city of Olathe, here in Kansas, Linda
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your piles are even larger than ours!
DeleteI am so grateful to be in Honolulu!
ReplyDeleteI know every place has issues, but at least winter weather isn't one for you :-)
Deletei am still trying to get a path cleared to the top of the hill-I finally got the steps cleared during the last warm up today and tomorrow is my window to do that and finally be able to get my car back home. a really difficult winter so far
ReplyDeleteIt has been a difficult winter, especially in light of the past few years
DeleteThese are problems you could do without. I hope they're soon resolved.
ReplyDeleteEverything will eventually resolve itself, and a week after that I will have forgotten about the issue.
DeleteI hope your weather improves soon. I'm dreaming of summer sun.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteSnow plowing is a way of life here in Canada. Luckily we get a break from it in the summer, lol.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the problem is that this area doesn't get enough snow to be good at cleaning up after it.
DeleteThose dreaded pot holes. We rarely get snow, but the BIG FREEZE of 21 played a lot of havoc on our roadways. Texas, especially East Texas just does not have equipment for such snow. Hopefully that sunshine will melt it away..
ReplyDeletePot holes are a way of life here after any type of winter precipitation.
DeleteI can only imagine
ReplyDeleteGood thing you don't have to go out to work each day. Are the schools closed for snow days or just pushing through and keeping to a regular schedule?
ReplyDeleteEvery district handled it differently. Some did a combination of snow days and virtual learning. Some just closed.
DeleteStay warm!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying!
DeleteTake care, safe travels and stay warm!!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteKeep warm and take care. God bless always.
ReplyDeleteThank you, as always.
DeleteYou are singing Michigan's song! This is what we deal with every winter. And the potholes! Sometimes driving down the street is like driving an obstacle course! Be safe and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering if things would be better if we lived in a place that got substantial snow on a regular basis. At least I would have my act together more :-)
DeleteThis is one of the reasons that I live in Las Vegas and deal with the crazy heat we get in the Summer. We hardly ever get any snow here in the city. Don't have to worry about hurricanes often, and I've only felt 3 small earthquakes in the 37 years that I've lived here.
ReplyDeleteI've never been in Vegas in the summer, but it sure is nice the rest of the year.
DeleteI used to love the snow when I was young, but then it was another story as I started to drive and needed to deal with slippery roads and lack of parking. Now in Florida, it's not an issue.
ReplyDeleteWhat an ordeal! It sounds like the storm really took a toll on the area, and the aftermath is making everything more difficult than it should be. It's such a challenge when you have to navigate snow, ice, and potholes, especially with those dangerous refreezing conditions. It’s good that the temperatures are finally going to rise, though – that should help clear things up and make life a bit easier. I hope the melting snow allows the streets and parking lots to return to normal soon!
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It sounds like a nightmare. Hope you get the rise in temperature forecast.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I remember those days when we were living in Chicago. My daughter was just complaining about black ice the other day and how difficult it was to scrape the ice off the car before driving to work.
ReplyDelete