It seemed as if the entire nation laughed at Atlanta that day in 2014—an event dubbed— Snowmageddon. We did have some snow—-2.6 inches, but the devil-in-the-details was the thick coat of underlying ice. Traffic was slammed by 1 million people (according to one news report) trying to head home. This was complicated by jackknifed 18 wheelers blocking multiple lanes and exits: some of the most gradual grades became impassable hills. People were trapped in their vehicles—some for a day or more. Emergency vehicles were stymied because of sliding, jackknifed tractor-trailers, and cars on treacherous Black Ice.
Perspective was needed to interpret the spectacle. People in northern climes laughed that our more-than-a-dusting of snow that hobbled Atlanta traffic; even local people groused that we didn’t handle it well. Complicating the calamity—1) a dramatic weather phenomenon, rare for our region; 2) we do not backlog ranks of equipped snowplows; nor do we stockpile mountains of sand and ice treatment; 3) it is not economically sound to put millions of dollars into supplies and equipment upkeep that would lie dormant—possibly for years— for rare cataclysmic snowstorms in this region.
It is a matter of perspective. It is humanly impossible to prepare for and avoid all disasters—as we learned from more recent weather-related events—in 2023. We carefully calculate weather threats. We can and do prepare pretty well to mollify weather-related damage; training, preparation, early warnings, and good communication go a long way . But to place a profusion of snowplows and supplies strategically located is unserviceable for this region. The costs could be beyond reach and would crush the public service budget, weighing heavily on the economy.
We tend to avoid essential assessment of much that we take for granted. Another perspective is needed in our daily living; The Old Testament is rife with warnings— laws about eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, ad infinitum—it’s in the Book! Jesus was accused of disregarding the Jewish Law. To mention a few examples; at one time or another he violated Sabbath dietary law—he prepared food for his group on the Sabbath; on another occasion he violated Temple behavior law, he healed a man. He associated with the “Unclean,” the shunned, and the abhorred. Jesus was neither a renegade nor a scofflaw; He simply loved, cared about, and served God’s children. He projected care for the person, over and above adhering to human-made laws. Jesus made it clear that He did not come to destroy the Jewish Law; He intended only to clarify the meaning of the law. He put things in perspective.
© Copyright Willis H. Moore 2024
We were living in the Embry Hills part of Atlanta, just off I-285 in 2014 when Snowmageddon arrived very unexpectedly. Al had retired in 2008 and we had necessities in the house, along with a fireplace in the den. But friends who were still working were caught on I-285 trying to get home. Several spent the night there, blocked by 18 wheelers. People who lived in apartments or condos near the expressway opened their homes to strangers. Your writing today reminded me of the hardships, but also of the kindness of strangers. Thank you, Willis!