This week’s storm — the second in five days if you missed it —hammered the city, breaking the record for all-time snowfall in a season and complicating the digging out that was still in process from last weekend’s storm.
Heavy storms bring out interesting effects in neighborhoods and cities. Often, folks get more neighborly, pitching in to dig out sidewalks, driveways and streets, checking in on elderly neighbors, offering rides or to pick up essentials. Many hands make light work, or some such.
And while snow might suppress some crime, there are still those out there who attempt thievery (watch your shovel and your wallet).
For some, any snow is crippling — cause not to leave hearth and home for days, waiting for the snowplows. For others, they are going out no matter what — much to the chagrin of local authorities who don’t want to waste scarce resources rescuing foolhardy travelers.
As someone who’s lived in both the city and the suburbs — and witnessed major storms in each — it’s interesting to observe how differently folks respond. Some are highly dedicated, willing to plan to make it in to work no matter what. (I seem to remember paying scant attention to the warnings that Hurricane Isabel was coming in 2003, only to have to drive home in the middle of it — and avoid the severe storm surge in Baltimore.)
City and federal governments announced Tuesday night they be closed on Wednesday in advance of the pending storm. Likewise for the Philadelphia School District. Social-service agencies such as MANNA and FIGHT also closed.
For many, the decision was made for the safety of the employees, despite the potential lost revenue and productivity. (Though, somehow, I bet the bars will be open Wednesday night. In my server and bartender days, I don’t remember ever closing early for snow.)
This week, PGN’s production was on the day of the storm. And, plan as best we could, there was no getting around the fact that someone had to be in the office to put out the paper. While some of us live close by, not all of us do, and I truly appreciate those who made the trek in to make this week’s paper happen. Scott and Sean, you rock. Thanks, too, to Greg and David representing the ad staff. Kudos to Jen and Sandy, who worked from home.
And now, we’re getting the hell out of here. Hope you all are safe.