by Alex Lloyd Gross
There was a run on stores last night as people rushed to buy essentials. A storm bringing ice and freezing rain was forecast, and conditions were expected to be treacherous. In some areas, they were. A woman was killed in a head-on crash on Aramingo Avenue overnight.
For the most part, roads were covered in ice, which kept many people at home. Schools were already closed for winter break, so there was no chance for students to get an extra day off. The storm also arrived over the weekend, into Saturday morning.
Some businesses closed early on Friday so employees wouldn’t be stuck traveling home on ice-covered roads. Many food delivery places were dine-in or pickup only, if they were open at all. By morning, people had to walk very carefully as they salted pavements or tried to clear their vehicles.
Ice and frigid temperatures caused many cars not to start, and some locks were frozen shut. Windows were caked with up to an inch of ice, depending on the area. The only way to remove it was through manual labor. Pouring hot water on a frozen windshield is a guaranteed way to end up with a cracked window.
About the only people who enjoyed the conditions were children who found hills and went sledding. Any water left on roads tonight will likely freeze as temperatures drop below freezing.