Heavy snows are different because they are confining. The first things lots of folk run out of in most man-made or natural disasters is cash - folding money and especially change.
If the power or internet lines are out there will be little use for plastic. Stores and gas stations will be cash only and rounded to the highest dollar - sometimes highest $5 or $10. Soda and vending machines work on emergency power (and the rare mechanical type) but you need change.
