From a meteorologist discussing this storm.
“Historic winter storm developing for portions of Missouri into Indiana. Portions of these states will be shut down in the coming days from heavy snow and ice. Significant infrastructure damage is likely because of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain accumulations.”
I remember when we had an ICE STORM, and the power was out for two weeks (for a majority of the CITY). Trees were covered in ice and limbs snapped off all the time.
We just didn’t have the internet or the local Weather People going beserk predicting things, so we just dealt with them as they happened.
The good thing about the ‘prediction’ is that hopefully, many more people will be prepared.