Snowfall in the Upper Midwest reached up to 16 inches in some regions over the weekend of the December 8 and 9, 2012. Many people were thrilled about the snowfall since last year this region was robbed of its usually snowy and snow recreational filled season. Many people got outside doing the things they love like skiing, while others have gotten in the wintery spirit thinking about the upcoming snowmobile season. Many stores have also had good fortune from the snow by selling a lot of snow shovels, ice melt, and "hundreds" of snow-blowers since Sunday's snow.

People enjoying the snow

However, not everyone is as happy and fortunate for the snow. The snow caused slippery roads that were blamed for hundreds of crashes and at least two deaths from Minnesota to Oklahoma, and two other deaths were related to the wintry weather.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 600 crashes by Monday morning, and at least 1,140 spinouts. One person was killed Sunday in a crash involving a semi near Red Wing, Minn. And in New Prague, school officials said a 54-year-old social studies teacher at the middle school died while shoveling snow at his home Sunday.

In southern Oklahoma, a Dallas man was killed early Monday when he lost control of his sport utility vehicle on an icy bridge on Interstate 35.
In Kansas freezing overnight temperatures may have contributed to the death of a 30-year-old woman whose body was found in a field early Monday.

Even Texas got a taste of winter, as an arctic blast dumped up to 5 inches of snow in parts of West Texas and dropped temperatures into the teens in part of the Panhandle. Strong winds cut electricity to about 3,000 homes and businesses in Austin, but reports said all but a handful of customers had power restored by midday Monday.

And other people not enjoying the snow

Blizzards are a natural hazard that happen in the Upper Midwest region, people know this and know what precautions need to be taken to prevent injury and death, especially on the roads. A lot of the car accidents and spinouts could’ve been prevented if people would drive slower, take safer driving precautions, or if they would just stay off the roads. This doesn’t really qualify as a disaster, but a lot of this could’ve been prevented if the proper safety and mitigation measures would’ve been taken.

It goes back to the Swiss cheese model; it only gets worse when factor after factor plays a role. The snow alone is not a threat, it’s the decisions people make when there is heavy snow and ice that increases the risk to them.

Article Source: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/us/article/Blizzard-conditions-cause-hundreds-of-crashes-4104713.php

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