A fierce winter storm continues to grip the South, leaving behind heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain. As the storm moves east, it’s wreaking havoc from Texas to the Carolinas. Power outages, dangerous roads, and school closures are just the beginning.
Power outages hit hard
In Atlanta, the storm caused massive power outages. By Friday night, more than 110,000 customers were left in the dark. Freezing rain and falling trees made things worse. Georgia Power crews are working hard to restore power, but the conditions are tough. They warned that full restoration might take time.
Travel advisories in full force
Georgia officials have warned residents to stay off the roads until at least midday Saturday. Snow and ice continue to affect large parts of the South. Areas in the Carolinas, Virginia, Ohio, and Tennessee are also seeing ongoing hazardous conditions.
Earlier this week, Texas and Oklahoma felt the storm’s wrath first. Both states saw heavy snow and icy roads. As the storm moved east, Arkansas and North Carolina deployed National Guard units to help stranded drivers. Governors across the region declared states of emergency.
Snow days and school closures
Millions of students are enjoying unexpected snow days. From Texas to South Carolina, schools are closed, giving kids a rare day off. Cities like Little Rock, Arkansas, have seen nearly a foot of snow. This is a big jump from their usual annual snowfall of just 3.8 inches. Memphis is also buried under snow, with over 7 inches recorded since Thursday. That’s way more than their yearly average of 2.7 inches.
Hazardous travel across the region
Travelers are being warned to stay home. Sleet, snow, and ice have made roads dangerous in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. South and North Carolina saw a shift from snow to freezing rain. Airport delays are also piling up. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest, saw hundreds of canceled and delayed flights. A Delta flight had to abort its takeoff, injuring four passengers, one of whom had to go to the hospital.
Snowstorm moves eastward
As the storm continues to march east, more snow and ice are expected. Areas like Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia could see up to 8 inches of snow by Saturday. Safety is a major concern. A semitrailer collided with a Department of Transportation truck in Tennessee, proving how dangerous the roads are.
South Carolina not ready for snow
In South Carolina, many areas haven’t seen snow in years. The state’s Department of Transportation has been working hard to treat roads, but icy highways are still causing accidents. Some vehicles slipped off the road, causing even more traffic delays.
The storm forced the cancellation of a big event in Raleigh, North Carolina. An outdoor inauguration ceremony for Governor Josh Stein and other elected officials was called off due to the heavy snow.
Airports struggle with delays
Airports aren’t the only places affected. Major hubs like Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Nashville are all seeing significant delays. The Federal Aviation Administration warns that disruptions could continue throughout the weekend.
As the storm rages on, officials urge everyone to stay safe. Driving is dangerous, and flying might be a nightmare. With freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, it’s best to hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.
