Heh. Back to the Nemo storm discussion...
I think some of the overpreparedness comes from PR disasters in the way that the government has handled large storms. People still talk about the Blizzard of 78. Five years ago, we had incidents with businesses and schools doing early dismissals at the same time, clogging the highways in heavy snow. The result was a 20 minute drive home turning into a four hour drive home for many. School kids were stranded on school buses for nine hours trying to get them home.
So now, they cancel all schools in advance. Tthe state government works with local major companies that have over 500 people to coordinate when people get out early so that the roads are not jammed with people getting home and the plows can get out and do their thing. It's just better and safer for everyone if people stay home, and I do appreciate the authorities promoting this.
Of course the media makes a big deal out of everything. This whole Weather Channel naming everything is so stupid. I still can't believe they picked Nemo.