I'm not so sure I agree with people are not prepared in the lower 48.
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. It never surprised me that we would get heavy snowfall (meaning well over a foot or more in 24 hours), ice storms etc. It is normal weather and should be expected.
People in the upper midwest states (WI, ND, SD, MI, WY) etc. know it gets down right cold, windy and it snows heavily in winter. To say they do not expect that is foolish unless they just moved there from Florida. Now if you tell me a hurricane will hit Pennsylvania via New Jersey or Delaware, or the remnants of one, I may be a bit taken off course as that is not a normal occurrence but it is not unheard of.
I live in West Tennessee now so I expect strong thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice storms etc. It is the normal climate. To expect a snowfall of 6" or more is rare but not out of the realm of possibility. Eastern TN, it is not an unusual occurrence. It happens so infrequently here that when it does it comes as a shock to the local natives. It is the feeling of apathy... "Aw, it hasn't snowed 6" here for over 10 years..." so when it does... surprise!