In 2016, Winter Storm Jonas became the largest snowstorm on record for six states across the East Coast of the United States, prompting state of emergencies with the extreme weather event. Economic losses from the storm, including lost wages and disrupted economic activity, were estimated between $500 million and $3 billion.
In this case study, Memoli shows how travel disruptions, road closures, and power outages underscored several areas needing improvement in winter storm preparedness. Memoli emphasizes the importance of two-way communication systems for future extreme weather events to prevent future accidental deaths.