marko
<b>”It just seems that everybody is in a panic over what is a very cold, but not uniquely unusual cold snap. "Coldest since 1985!!", so...it was colder in 1985?
Or am I just getting to be a crotchety old man?”</b>
Cold like this finds houses imperfections - ones that tolerate 17 degrees but at -3 your pipes break. Cars fail (vapor lock, battery output lessens.) and heating bills get big. Remember how many live paycheck to paycheck.
Think about how many people are out freezing dragging a fuel oil hose to peoples houses? or putting out a fire? Or picking up your garbage? To them this cold is a real big deal.
Don’t think Minnesota think Virginia they just aren’t ready for it.
+1 Lived in Richmond VA for a couple years, and northern-me was horrified by how flimsy the house construction was. (And this was not a cheap home!) So, yes, although I mock the current "OMGz, it's ten degrees in [wherever]!" I know their homes and schools simply aren't built for these temps.
PS It's -40F here in Central MN this morning. Schools have closed for 3rd day.