Lol?
I grew up in Chicago and it always puzzles me when guys make fun of the southerners.
If it rains hard enough, the temperature drops below freezing and since they have absolutely no salt, etc you bet - the Guard might be necessary and folks will spend all night on the freeways.
This could be a really bad evening/night; imagine driving an ambulance and how many folks you might be late to get to on icy roads.