This is an outright political disaster, this isn't really a national disaster. Other parts of the country seen more snow and ice build up. The fact that you can project that snow was coming is what makes this mind boggling. The state government has a laissez faire approach to government that ended up bitting them in the ass. The difference with Cali, is when we have fires we can't predict where and when they occur. I can't speak on NY. But, California government seems so much better than Texas when it comes to figuring how to deal with tough issues.