There was a meteorologically strange weather pattern in Eastern State that December. A heavy storm hit the town later that month, almost drowning the entire city. The common flu was a result of this shift in weather; most hospitals were covered in long cues, and the local authorities had even set up a large quarantine center. All the communication channels and traffic were heavily monitored. It did not help to ease the concern of the people. The situation in Eastern State was heavily scrutinized by the rest of the nation; they were worried that the illness might not be able to be contained.