Comments on: The Half Inch of Snow that Paralyzed Raleigh http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/ Original Photography and Prints of the City of Raleigh, North Carolina by Matt Robinson Tue, 22 May 2012 04:23:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Protip: Yankees can’t drive in snow either » Discount Thoughts http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-18546 Protip: Yankees can’t drive in snow either » Discount Thoughts Tue, 22 May 2012 04:23:21 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-18546 [...] let out early simultaneously, resulting in what I always think of as the Raleigh Effect, a case of traffic paralysis resulting from an seemingly manageable winter weather event. The source of the problem in this case? Yankees who thought they could drive on snow. The result? [...] [...] let out early simultaneously, resulting in what I always think of as the Raleigh Effect, a case of traffic paralysis resulting from an seemingly manageable winter weather event. The source of the problem in this case? Yankees who thought they could drive on snow. The result? [...]

]]> By: John S. http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-18159 John S. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:16:00 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-18159 It's funny because the whole mess was caused by Wake County Schools announcing they were closing early & sending the kids home. All the parents panicked and hurried out to meet them. But the traffic jam they created kept the school buses from being able to pick up the kids and a lot of the kids ended up having to stay overnight at the schools. I remember the day. For some reason I had a day off and drove down to Ft. Fisher to do some photography. The weather was beautiful down there and I didn't know what was going on back home. Returning to Raleigh in the evening I finally heard the news on the radio just about the time I crossed US-70 south of Garner. As soon as I heard the news I found the traffic jam out on I-40. I managed to exit at Jones Sausage Rd and made my way over to Garner Rd. I had clear sailing following it down to Tryon Rd where I went across to South Wilmington and filled my tank with gas. Going north on South Wilmington to South Saunders to Dawson was clear all the way to Nash Square. I turned East on Morgan St, north again on N. Wilmington St and east again at Peace St. There was another traffic jam from in front of Peace College to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Person St. I got through that by going into the gas station and out onto N. Boundary St. Again clear sailing all the way around to Brookside Drive & home. I live up the street from Emma Conn School. All told, including the gas stop, it took me about an hour to get from the I-40/US-70 to Mordecai. I didn't have any trouble with the roads. All I did was slow down & try to keep a steady pace. I drive a manual transmission and just taking my foot off the gas provided all the braking I needed in most cases. It’s funny because the whole mess was caused by Wake County Schools announcing they were closing early & sending the kids home. All the parents panicked and hurried out to meet them. But the traffic jam they created kept the school buses from being able to pick up the kids and a lot of the kids ended up having to stay overnight at the schools.

I remember the day. For some reason I had a day off and drove down to Ft. Fisher to do some photography. The weather was beautiful down there and I didn’t know what was going on back home. Returning to Raleigh in the evening I finally heard the news on the radio just about the time I crossed US-70 south of Garner.

As soon as I heard the news I found the traffic jam out on I-40.

I managed to exit at Jones Sausage Rd and made my way over to Garner Rd. I had clear sailing following it down to Tryon Rd where I went across to South Wilmington and filled my tank with gas. Going north on South Wilmington to South Saunders to Dawson was clear all the way to Nash Square. I turned East on Morgan St, north again on N. Wilmington St and east again at Peace St.

There was another traffic jam from in front of Peace College to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Person St. I got through that by going into the gas station and out onto N. Boundary St. Again clear sailing all the way around to Brookside Drive & home. I live up the street from Emma Conn School.

All told, including the gas stop, it took me about an hour to get from the I-40/US-70 to Mordecai. I didn’t have any trouble with the roads. All I did was slow down & try to keep a steady pace. I drive a manual transmission and just taking my foot off the gas provided all the braking I needed in most cases.

]]> By: Bella http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-16012 Bella Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:11:44 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-16012 This day was horrible and I remember it like it was yesterday. They were only calling for flurries and they said the temp was too high anyway... but I worked downtown at the time and we worked on the 5th floor and around lunchtime we were all standing at the window watching the snow blow around and it wasn't even sticking but it was snowing more and longer than what we expected. So me and a few other of my co-workers that had kids in school decided we were going to go ahead and leave a little early. I knew it was going to be bad when I tried to get out of my parking space onto Blount St. and fishtailed. I was so scared....but I knew I had to get to my son that went to school off of Glenwood. As I started down Glenwood I decided to take a shortcut down a back road....oh boy...what a BIG mistake that was! 1st I was going at least 5 mph down a hill and lost control of my car and side-swiped a BMW. Out of all the cars to hit!!! Apparently I was not the only one, there was people everywhere that wrecked going down the hill OR people that just couldn't get up the hill and were scared to try to go down. But there was a really nice couple that had opened up their house to everyone and was offering us soup! How sweet! Anyway...I got in contact w/ my sons father who at the time worked in Garner. I told him I was stuck and he left work to try and go get our son. While I was trying to get warm and make some phone calls someone hits my car BUT they weren't as nice as me they decided that they didn't want to wait around. O.k. so I decided I was going to try a 2nd time to make it home. By the time I got home it was around 9 or 10 and not too long after that my son came home. And if it wasn't for his school and the wonderful teachers there. He didn't even wanna come home lol. He said "mommy they popped popcorn and we were in the gym watching TV!" Well at least he had fun. This day was horrible and I remember it like it was yesterday. They were only calling for flurries and they said the temp was too high anyway… but I worked downtown at the time and we worked on the 5th floor and around lunchtime we were all standing at the window watching the snow blow around and it wasn’t even sticking but it was snowing more and longer than what we expected. So me and a few other of my co-workers that had kids in school decided we were going to go ahead and leave a little early. I knew it was going to be bad when I tried to get out of my parking space onto Blount St. and fishtailed. I was so scared….but I knew I had to get to my son that went to school off of Glenwood. As I started down Glenwood I decided to take a shortcut down a back road….oh boy…what a BIG mistake that was! 1st I was going at least 5 mph down a hill and lost control of my car and side-swiped a BMW. Out of all the cars to hit!!! Apparently I was not the only one, there was people everywhere that wrecked going down the hill OR people that just couldn’t get up the hill and were scared to try to go down. But there was a really nice couple that had opened up their house to everyone and was offering us soup! How sweet! Anyway…I got in contact w/ my sons father who at the time worked in Garner. I told him I was stuck and he left work to try and go get our son. While I was trying to get warm and make some phone calls someone hits my car BUT they weren’t as nice as me they decided that they didn’t want to wait around. O.k. so I decided I was going to try a 2nd time to make it home. By the time I got home it was around 9 or 10 and not too long after that my son came home. And if it wasn’t for his school and the wonderful teachers there. He didn’t even wanna come home lol. He said “mommy they popped popcorn and we were in the gym watching TV!” Well at least he had fun.

]]> By: Mrs. Romance http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-15944 Mrs. Romance Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:33:06 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-15944 I spent two hours at the foot of the Durham overpass, on my way home to Raleigh that afternoon. I'd left work in RTP at 3:30 pm. All the cars just stopped. There was no going anywhere. Everyone was out of their cars and sliding around on foot. It was very dangerous to be walking and impossible to move your car on the icy roads. No one could get over the overpass at all. I managed to slide the car backwards a little and took off to the right for Durham, looking for a place to stay for the night, knowing I probably wasn't going to make it home that night. (I was right. It took some people 11 hours to get home!) I was fortunate to find a huge suite (two rooms, two TVs!) left at a Durham hotel. I didn't have my credit card, but I had a checkbook. They would not take any checks. I asked if I could just stay in their lobby because it was an unusual circumstance -- it was FREEZING out, and I couldn't stay outside all night. They wouldn't let me have the room until my husband faxed the credit card to them. Thank goodness we had a home fax. I don't think they had a clue how bad things were on the roads. I thought they were pretty heartless. I had a horrible meal at their horrible restaurant that night. But I was lucky to have any food at all. The next morning, wearing the same clothes I wore the day before, I went to work. But I had no clue where I was in Durham, and I was lost for about an hour and had to stop twice! I finally showed up at work, and the only people there were those who stayed overnight in the office! I stayed and worked and went home later that afternoon. I grew up in the north where it snowed a lot, and I never in my life ever saw an ice storm like this! It was as if everything very quickly froze in its place. There was no rain or snow that I could see in the air -- it had fallen earlier in the day and then just all froze in the afternoon. So it wasn't like a typical ice storm like we're used to outside of the south. I spent two hours at the foot of the Durham overpass, on my way home to Raleigh that afternoon. I’d left work in RTP at 3:30 pm. All the cars just stopped. There was no going anywhere. Everyone was out of their cars and sliding around on foot. It was very dangerous to be walking and impossible to move your car on the icy roads. No one could get over the overpass at all.

I managed to slide the car backwards a little and took off to the right for Durham, looking for a place to stay for the night, knowing I probably wasn’t going to make it home that night. (I was right. It took some people 11 hours to get home!)

I was fortunate to find a huge suite (two rooms, two TVs!) left at a Durham hotel. I didn’t have my credit card, but I had a checkbook. They would not take any checks. I asked if I could just stay in their lobby because it was an unusual circumstance — it was FREEZING out, and I couldn’t stay outside all night. They wouldn’t let me have the room until my husband faxed the credit card to them. Thank goodness we had a home fax. I don’t think they had a clue how bad things were on the roads. I thought they were pretty heartless.

I had a horrible meal at their horrible restaurant that night. But I was lucky to have any food at all.

The next morning, wearing the same clothes I wore the day before, I went to work. But I had no clue where I was in Durham, and I was lost for about an hour and had to stop twice! I finally showed up at work, and the only people there were those who stayed overnight in the office! I stayed and worked and went home later that afternoon.

I grew up in the north where it snowed a lot, and I never in my life ever saw an ice storm like this! It was as if everything very quickly froze in its place. There was no rain or snow that I could see in the air — it had fallen earlier in the day and then just all froze in the afternoon. So it wasn’t like a typical ice storm like we’re used to outside of the south.

]]> By: JRd http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-15488 JRd Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:21:39 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-15488 Awe. I miss the old raleigh skyline. DAMN YOU RBC! Awe. I miss the old raleigh skyline. DAMN YOU RBC!

]]> By: Matt H. http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-15486 Matt H. Sat, 04 Dec 2010 16:32:09 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-15486 @ Lemelia Bonner: I WAS one of those kids who had to sleep at school that night. It was in 7th grade. I remember crying over the phone talking to my mom begging her to come get me @ Lemelia Bonner: I WAS one of those kids who had to sleep at school that night. It was in 7th grade. I remember crying over the phone talking to my mom begging her to come get me

]]> By: Lemelia Bonner http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-15485 Lemelia Bonner Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:07:25 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-15485 My word, what a bizzare and surreal experience! It might not have been such a nightmare had it occurred at a different time of day, but the announcement of schools closing happened right in the middle of lunch hour. So, you've got all these people out lunching, when they realize they've gotta make sure their kids can get home safely. They clog the roads, block many buses en route to schools, and the ensuing traffic stalls cause the ice to further freeze so half the drivers can't move or are sliding all over the place. Streets with hills have to be closed off because people keep sliding down, so everybody goes scurrying to find alternate routes. Everyone with a cell phone is on it, trying to find and notify their nearest and dearest, so nobody can get a signal. Took me 3 hours to get from work to my home less than two hours away. I'm just glad I was able to intercept my kids (one in a stuck bus who just happened to see me go by). Felt horrible for the parents whose kids had to sleep at school that night. My word, what a bizzare and surreal experience! It might not have been such a nightmare had it occurred at a different time of day, but the announcement of schools closing happened right in the middle of lunch hour. So, you’ve got all these people out lunching, when they realize they’ve gotta make sure their kids can get home safely. They clog the roads, block many buses en route to schools, and the ensuing traffic stalls cause the ice to further freeze so half the drivers can’t move or are sliding all over the place. Streets with hills have to be closed off because people keep sliding down, so everybody goes scurrying to find alternate routes. Everyone with a cell phone is on it, trying to find and notify their nearest and dearest, so nobody can get a signal. Took me 3 hours to get from work to my home less than two hours away. I’m just glad I was able to intercept my kids (one in a stuck bus who just happened to see me go by). Felt horrible for the parents whose kids had to sleep at school that night.

]]> By: Ed Racketa Jr. http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-14247 Ed Racketa Jr. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:28:28 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-14247 Luckily that was my day off. I remember it well as a Wednesday. I got the call from a neighbor that my daughters school was closing at noon. Luckily once again, it was 1 mile from my home. After picking her up we watched the news all day and night and spoke with many friends who were stuck in this mess. Happy 5th anniversary for the "Raleigh Gridlock of 2005" Luckily that was my day off. I remember it well as a Wednesday. I got the call from a neighbor that my daughters school was closing at noon. Luckily once again, it was 1 mile from my home. After picking her up we watched the news all day and night and spoke with many friends who were stuck in this mess. Happy 5th anniversary for the “Raleigh Gridlock of 2005″

]]> By: Sleeping In a Winter Wonderland « Thoughts of A North Raleigh Mom http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-2/#comment-14227 Sleeping In a Winter Wonderland « Thoughts of A North Raleigh Mom Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:32:07 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-14227 [...] preparing early by checking on my car winter basket (assembled after I was stuck for 9 hours in the famous Raleigh Ice storm several years ago), checking the kids boot sizes and some form of snow [...] [...] preparing early by checking on my car winter basket (assembled after I was stuck for 9 hours in the famous Raleigh Ice storm several years ago), checking the kids boot sizes and some form of snow [...]

]]> By: Ernest http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-14174 Ernest Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:49:49 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-14174 A song by Sammy Hagar comes to mind when I watch these videos and remember the 3 long hours it took me to get home (instead of 20 minutes): "I can't drive 55..." :lol: A song by Sammy Hagar comes to mind when I watch these videos and remember the 3 long hours it took me to get home (instead of 20 minutes): “I can’t drive 55…” :lol:

]]> By: Tonya http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-14172 Tonya Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:49:48 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-14172 I had to pick up my daughter from school - Millbrook Elementary - and drive back to the apartment off of Spring Forest/Falls of the Neuse. It took me 3 1/2 hours to get to her - normally a 10 minute drive. We turned up the Sir Mix Alot on the way home but eventually had to pull over and park since no one could make it up the hills and stalled out right in the road. I am glad I went to get her though because a lot of kids had to spend the night at schools that were ill-equipped. The kids of my neighbors got home on the bus at 10 o'clock at night! What a nightmare that was. Now it's Dec 2009 and Orange County schools are releasing kids early tomorrow to avoid a similiar mishap. Hope that doesn't jinx the arrival of snow! :) I had to pick up my daughter from school – Millbrook Elementary – and drive back to the apartment off of Spring Forest/Falls of the Neuse. It took me 3 1/2 hours to get to her – normally a 10 minute drive. We turned up the Sir Mix Alot on the way home but eventually had to pull over and park since no one could make it up the hills and stalled out right in the road. I am glad I went to get her though because a lot of kids had to spend the night at schools that were ill-equipped. The kids of my neighbors got home on the bus at 10 o’clock at night! What a nightmare that was. Now it’s Dec 2009 and Orange County schools are releasing kids early tomorrow to avoid a similiar mishap. Hope that doesn’t jinx the arrival of snow! :)

]]> By: sherwood01 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-13238 sherwood01 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:32:25 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-13238 Man, that was 4 years ago tomorrow, wasn't it? And what did we get today to commemorate it? SNOW! :D You just know the roads are going to be a mess tomorrow morning. But all I remember about coming home that night is that it took over SIX hours to drive a whole 12 miles! That was such a joke. Man, that was 4 years ago tomorrow, wasn’t it? And what did we get today to commemorate it? SNOW! :D You just know the roads are going to be a mess tomorrow morning. But all I remember about coming home that night is that it took over SIX hours to drive a whole 12 miles! That was such a joke.

]]> By: Ari http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-9757 Ari Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:21:00 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-9757 That day I was out with my mother and brother at the old BORDERS Bookstore on Wake Forest Road in North Raleigh. It's not a BORDERS anymore, it's a pet store. Anyway, we'd been in there for about an hour when I happened to look outside and I saw snow start to fall. I told my mom and we hi-tailed it back to I-440. Even though the roads had barely started icing over, we were forced to do 45 to 55 MPH rather than the usual 65 to 75 MPH. We then hopped 40 -> 70 back into Johnston County. That day I was out with my mother and brother at the old BORDERS Bookstore on Wake Forest Road in North Raleigh. It’s not a BORDERS anymore, it’s a pet store. Anyway, we’d been in there for about an hour when I happened to look outside and I saw snow start to fall. I told my mom and we hi-tailed it back to I-440. Even though the roads had barely started icing over, we were forced to do 45 to 55 MPH rather than the usual 65 to 75 MPH. We then hopped 40 -> 70 back into Johnston County.

]]> By: Bobby Knobby http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-4243 Bobby Knobby Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:20:55 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-4243 i live in ny and yuz guys are rubbernecks. what gives?? frank rizzo would never put up with that kind of crap. i live in ny and yuz guys are rubbernecks. what gives?? frank rizzo would never put up with that kind of crap.

]]> By: Ginny from the Blog » Blog Archive » Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it BLOG … errr, I Mean Snow. http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-3852 Ginny from the Blog » Blog Archive » Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it BLOG … errr, I Mean Snow. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:41:26 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-3852 [...] Erection reminded us of the January 2005 snowfall that brought the Triangle to a halt by linking to RaleighSkyline.com, which had some archived footage of that infamous snow [...] [...] Erection reminded us of the January 2005 snowfall that brought the Triangle to a halt by linking to RaleighSkyline.com, which had some archived footage of that infamous snow [...]

]]> By: Justin http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-1161 Justin Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:36:02 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-1161 I'm glad someone put to rest the "snow" myth (Grover). That day was all about ice all over the roads. I've lived in Raleigh my entire life. We've had much more snow (up to a foot on rare occasions) and have never had problems like that. Everyone kept making jokes about people in Raleigh not being able to drive in the snow, but no one can drive effectively on ice without proper equipment. The other aspect that ticked me off is that many people from up north complained about NC drivers in the "snow". Well, I can assure you that at least half of the people living in the area are transplants from up north and they also suddenly seemed to forget how to drive in the "snow"! Not long after that, I saw a national news story about an ice storm up north and it showed "expert" northern drivers sliding all over the place. I couldn't help but chuckle. I’m glad someone put to rest the “snow” myth (Grover). That day was all about ice all over the roads. I’ve lived in Raleigh my entire life. We’ve had much more snow (up to a foot on rare occasions) and have never had problems like that. Everyone kept making jokes about people in Raleigh not being able to drive in the snow, but no one can drive effectively on ice without proper equipment. The other aspect that ticked me off is that many people from up north complained about NC drivers in the “snow”. Well, I can assure you that at least half of the people living in the area are transplants from up north and they also suddenly seemed to forget how to drive in the “snow”! Not long after that, I saw a national news story about an ice storm up north and it showed “expert” northern drivers sliding all over the place. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

]]> By: Grover http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-761 Grover Thu, 31 May 2007 15:25:23 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-761 Yes, it was 95% ice. Started as freezing rain, followed by sleet, followed by a freezing rain/snow mix. I've lived in NC for 35 years, and that's the 2nd or 3rd storm I remember like that--but it was the WORST traffic nightmare. The temp unexpectedly dropped like a rock, so no one was prepared for ice. We don't have dedicated snow moving equipment, so all the dumptrucks had to be brought in from whatever job they were doing, get rid of their existing load, get fitted with scrapers and spreaders, and then load up on salt/sand/brine before they could be sent out. The schools let out a little before noon, so the streets were jammed with busses and parents leaving work early to pick up their kids. I know one guy who was on the road from 1pm to 3am getting his child from school to home--normally a 30 minute affair. Yes, it was 95% ice. Started as freezing rain, followed by sleet, followed by a freezing rain/snow mix. I’ve lived in NC for 35 years, and that’s the 2nd or 3rd storm I remember like that–but it was the WORST traffic nightmare. The temp unexpectedly dropped like a rock, so no one was prepared for ice. We don’t have dedicated snow moving equipment, so all the dumptrucks had to be brought in from whatever job they were doing, get rid of their existing load, get fitted with scrapers and spreaders, and then load up on salt/sand/brine before they could be sent out. The schools let out a little before noon, so the streets were jammed with busses and parents leaving work early to pick up their kids. I know one guy who was on the road from 1pm to 3am getting his child from school to home–normally a 30 minute affair.

]]> By: Brett http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-302 Brett Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:56:52 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-302 Was that seriously all ice? I live in Michigan and a half inch of snow I would be trecking 80mph through that And as a helpful reminder - you do not floor it...my favorite part in the third video was the truck flooring it for what a couple minutes while another car just zips right on by I'd love to see you people survive in Michigan where we just had about 30 inches of snow in 2 weeks with a blizzard on top of it. hehehe Was that seriously all ice? I live in Michigan and a half inch of snow I would be trecking 80mph through that

And as a helpful reminder – you do not floor it…my favorite part in the third video was the truck flooring it for what a couple minutes while another car just zips right on by

I’d love to see you people survive in Michigan where we just had about 30 inches of snow in 2 weeks with a blizzard on top of it. hehehe

]]> By: schmeckendeugler http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-184 schmeckendeugler Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:52:19 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-184 The sound of that truck tire needs to be sampled and used in a superfunky mixmaster DJ song. The sound of that truck tire needs to be sampled and used in a superfunky mixmaster DJ song.

]]> By: Jason http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Jason Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:30:42 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-106 I few into Raleigh this day. Were I did land before the snow fall the trip to Clayton there after took longer than I could have ever imagined. We ended up in a ditch (I wasn't driving) about a 1/2 mile from my gf's home. I walked the rest of the day and the next day pulled the car out of the ditch. Oh what fun! This happens in Charlotte too I few into Raleigh this day. Were I did land before the snow fall the trip to Clayton there after took longer than I could have ever imagined. We ended up in a ditch (I wasn’t driving) about a 1/2 mile from my gf’s home. I walked the rest of the day and the next day pulled the car out of the ditch. Oh what fun!

This happens in Charlotte too

]]> By: Matt http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Matt Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:09:44 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-88 Red - We are lucky if we get a little snow in Raleigh during the course of the winter. There are exceptions of course, but even flurries in the forecast can send people out to the stores to get the necessities like bread and water or even close and delay schools. Every few years Raleigh will get a decent accumulation, but thats a major event around here. In February of 2000 however, during my first year living here (originally from Western PA of course), we received a record of 22 inches in about 24 hours. The city was shut down for a week with the temperatures remaining below freezing. Many cities in the northeast and areas in which snow is common do not encounter this problem due the the abundance of equipment for road salting and plowing. January of '05 was a "perfect storm" of sorts because the timing and its unexpectedness. Red – We are lucky if we get a little snow in Raleigh during the course of the winter. There are exceptions of course, but even flurries in the forecast can send people out to the stores to get the necessities like bread and water or even close and delay schools. Every few years Raleigh will get a decent accumulation, but thats a major event around here.

In February of 2000 however, during my first year living here (originally from Western PA of course), we received a record of 22 inches in about 24 hours. The city was shut down for a week with the temperatures remaining below freezing.

Many cities in the northeast and areas in which snow is common do not encounter this problem due the the abundance of equipment for road salting and plowing. January of ’05 was a “perfect storm” of sorts because the timing and its unexpectedness.

]]> By: Red http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Red Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:24:03 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-87 We are planning a move to Raleigh from LA, California in the next few months. Ok, I have to admit, this scares me a little, being someone who's nevre driven in snow, but I have to ask...do all major cities, ie: NY, Chicago, have the same kinds of problems that happened that day in Raleigh? Finally....SNOW for the holidays has been one of my major selling points to my children about this move. Are you all telling me it almost never snows there?? I thought you got several light dustings a year?? Admittedly, even a change of leaf color in the fall will be a welcome change for us, but we were looking forward to a little tiny bit of white stuff occassionally. Thanks! We are planning a move to Raleigh from LA, California in the next few months. Ok, I have to admit, this scares me a little, being someone who’s nevre driven in snow, but I have to ask…do all major cities, ie: NY, Chicago, have the same kinds of problems that happened that day in Raleigh? Finally….SNOW for the holidays has been one of my major selling points to my children about this move. Are you all telling me it almost never snows there?? I thought you got several light dustings a year?? Admittedly, even a change of leaf color in the fall will be a welcome change for us, but we were looking forward to a little tiny bit of white stuff occassionally. Thanks!

]]> By: Todd http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Todd Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:23:11 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-82 Wow, what can I say about that day. I was unemployed, my g/f got off work and I drove from RBC center to North Raleigh to pick her up. I tried going down Ebenezer Chruch Rd figuring less traffic and confident in my 4 wheel drive. However there was an overturned chemical truck. After 3hrs of backroading to avoid challenges and brief stop at Wellspring . I picked her up and we rolled back only 1 hr and a half--Used my brain for a better route back home. Then we got sloppy drunk and realized this would all be gone tommorow. Wow, what can I say about that day. I was unemployed, my g/f got off work and I drove from RBC center to North Raleigh to pick her up. I tried going down Ebenezer Chruch Rd figuring less traffic and confident in my 4 wheel drive. However there was an overturned chemical truck. After 3hrs of backroading to avoid challenges and brief stop at Wellspring . I picked her up and we rolled back only 1 hr and a half–Used my brain for a better route back home. Then we got sloppy drunk and realized this would all be gone tommorow.

]]> By: Darren http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Darren Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:39:08 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-81 I remember that day very well . . . I work at NC State, and that day it took me 90 minutes to drive from main campus to Centennial Campus - normally a five minute commute. I was detoured several times trying to avoid traffic on Hillsborough Street, ended up downtown, and managed my way down Lake Wheeler to the Parkway. I remember that day very well . . . I work at NC State, and that day it took me 90 minutes to drive from main campus to Centennial Campus – normally a five minute commute. I was detoured several times trying to avoid traffic on Hillsborough Street, ended up downtown, and managed my way down Lake Wheeler to the Parkway.

]]> By: Dustin http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Dustin Sun, 03 Dec 2006 22:09:35 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-68 I was lucky at the time to be able to walk to work and back. I couldn't believe how fast it was all going down. I remember walking back home that day and being worried that cars were going to hit me. I made sure all cars were stopped before I attempted to cross the road. I remember that Western Blvd was a parking lot. I hate icy roads. Snow isn't bad as long as people around you don't drive stupid. I was lucky at the time to be able to walk to work and back. I couldn’t believe how fast it was all going down. I remember walking back home that day and being worried that cars were going to hit me. I made sure all cars were stopped before I attempted to cross the road. I remember that Western Blvd was a parking lot.

I hate icy roads. Snow isn’t bad as long as people around you don’t drive stupid.

]]> By: Ernest Pecounis http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Ernest Pecounis Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:10:33 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-62 It took me 3 hours to get from Downtown (state government complex) to my home, near Falls Village (near Sandy Forks Rd and Falls of Neuse Rd). I know that we all wondered how in the earth that happened, but it was more complicated than just everyone leaving at the same time. In fact, where there was traffic the roads were a little better, but once you drove on the less used streets... forget about it. How many times I got close to an accident I can't recall :( Hopefully, we'll never see another day like that. It took me 3 hours to get from Downtown (state government complex) to my home, near Falls Village (near Sandy Forks Rd and Falls of Neuse Rd). I know that we all wondered how in the earth that happened, but it was more complicated than just everyone leaving at the same time. In fact, where there was traffic the roads were a little better, but once you drove on the less used streets… forget about it. How many times I got close to an accident I can’t recall :( Hopefully, we’ll never see another day like that.

]]> By: Brittain http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Brittain Thu, 23 Nov 2006 04:14:53 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-61 Ha I remember that day that was the first and only snow I got to see while I lived in Raleigh. It liked paralyzed the city and it was not even that much, but I guess the ice really did most the damage. Ha I remember that day that was the first and only snow I got to see while I lived in Raleigh. It liked paralyzed the city and it was not even that much, but I guess the ice really did most the damage.

]]> By: Jacob http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Jacob Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:43:13 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-60 OMG THAT WAS SO BAD I was downtown because i go to school there, and it was horrible. It took us easily two hours for us to get from moore square to the beltline, and then after that, it took us five hours to get the rest of the way home. 7 hours for a 20 min trip. We almost stayed at the red roof inn (and that place is SKETCHY) OMG THAT WAS SO BAD
I was downtown because i go to school there, and it was horrible. It took us easily two hours for us to get from moore square to the beltline, and then after that, it took us five hours to get the rest of the way home.
7 hours for a 20 min trip.
We almost stayed at the red roof inn (and that place is SKETCHY)

]]> By: Jonah http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Jonah Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:55:11 +0000 http://raleighskyline.com/content/2006/11/21/the-half-inch-of-snow-that-paralyzed-raleigh/#comment-59 Ha! I remember when this happened. Because I was unemployed at the time, I was one of the lucky few who wasn't out and about that day. So I got the chance to watch all the news coverage that afternoon and evening. I know a number of people who were stuck on I-40 for several hours straight, and they all said it was an unpleasant time. As I vaguely recall, a number of people ran out of gas and had to leave their cars on the roads for several days. It's amazing how much we rely on the principle of friction for our everyday driving purposes. Ha! I remember when this happened. Because I was unemployed at the time, I was one of the lucky few who wasn’t out and about that day. So I got the chance to watch all the news coverage that afternoon and evening. I know a number of people who were stuck on I-40 for several hours straight, and they all said it was an unpleasant time. As I vaguely recall, a number of people ran out of gas and had to leave their cars on the roads for several days. It’s amazing how much we rely on the principle of friction for our everyday driving purposes.

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