Residents of Washington, D.C., are expressing frustration over the city’s slow response to clearing roads after a recent snowstorm. They claim the lingering debris has made driving, parking, and even walking a challenge in many areas.
Following the storm, which dropped a record 6.9 inches of snow and sleet, some locals voiced their dissatisfaction, stating their concerns have been largely overlooked. For example, Zach Horton from Spring Valley shared how he had to walk to the hospital with his wife, Courtney, who was in labor. Navigating down a hill covered in an inch of ice on top of the snow made the journey even more difficult.
Once they reached the hospital and welcomed a healthy baby girl, the couple started worrying about returning home and who would care for their four other children, one of whom has FOXG1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.
Despite reaching out for assistance from city officials and dialing various agencies, the Hortons felt disheartened. They described some bureaucrats as “totally indifferent” and said many of their calls went to voicemail, though a few operators were courteous. However, when Zach asked a 311 operator what to do in a crisis, her response was, “I don’t know, it’s not our problem.” He even mentioned getting a voicemail from a snow removal company stating they were closed due to the weather.
Fortunately, kind neighbors came through during this rough patch. One offered to drive the Hortons’ kids to school, another sent a nanny, and one even had her children shovel snow from her driveway. Zach remarked, “When the city doesn’t cooperate, good neighbors do,” recounting how one neighbor picked up Courtney and their newborn using an all-terrain vehicle days later, as the roads remained treacherous.
On Thursday morning, Zach noticed that some salt had been scattered on the road, but his own street was still unplowed. Another resident shared his anger about seeing a city truck stopped to change a speed trap battery, expressing concerns that while ticket revenue was prioritized, the needs of local residents seemed neglected.
Complaints continued online, with another resident commenting on the lack of plowing on Parker Street NE, illustrating the dire state of the roads through photos of buried cars. Many voiced concerns about the dangers for pedestrians, with one post highlighting dangerous sidewalks and unplowed crosswalks.
In the midst of this chaos, images circulated showing National Guardsmen helping push a stranded car out of snow. One resident reported needing military assistance after returning to a snow-covered street post the weekend.
After getting stuck at Eastern Market, he recounted how a Marine named Jackson Perkins helped him out. Despite his car troubles, he mentioned he had ended up parking at a hotel merely blocks from home due to the lack of available parking. “We should have another nor’easter this weekend,” he remarked, unsure of what to do next.
The city did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.
