NEW ORLEANS — Following a significant winter storm that blanketed parts of the South with ice and historic snowfall, cleanup activities commenced on Thursday in cities like New Orleans. Crews utilized methods similar to those employed for clearing away Mardi Gras debris, such as discarded cups and beads, to remove snow from the streets.
As temperatures steadily rise across the Southern U.S., there are hopes the lingering snow and ice will soon disappear. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development spokesperson Daniel Gitlin noted, “Being from Louisiana, we are more versed in crawfish and football than we are in snow and ice, and that’s perfectly fine. We trust that Mother Nature will take care of it.” He mentioned that approximately 200 miles of interstate could remain closed until Friday due to hazardous black ice spots and indicated that Louisiana is nearly exhausted of its salt supply.
In New Orleans, a private waste management company has adjusted its equipment, usually reserved for collecting Mardi Gras refuse, to help clear snow from the streets. Sidney Torres, president of IV Waste, shared that they sent a 4,000-gallon flusher truck to the historic French Quarter to spray water on the streets to facilitate snow removal. “Normally, we use this truck to spray lemon-scented fluid to mask unpleasant odors from last night’s festivities,” Torres explained. “Now we’re discovering innovative methods and improved techniques to manage this situation.”
Arkansas has also stepped in to assist Louisiana, providing snowplows, dump trucks, and salt spreaders, as noted by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. The snowfall has likely shattered multiple records across the Southern region, and preliminary reports indicate that Florida may have recorded a town-wide snow total of 10 inches, potentially marking a new state record once confirmed.
In Georgia, the snowfall reached 3 inches in Savannah, marking the highest accumulation in the city since December 1989. The Atlanta metropolitan area saw lighter snow, particularly in southern suburbs where more significant accumulations occurred. In Covington, nearby Atlanta, local resident Jesse Gentes creatively used a flame thrower usually meant for brush clearance to thaw the icy roads in his neighborhood.
Light freezing rain was forecast for Brunswick, Georgia, where local authorities imposed a nighttime curfew due to hazardous road conditions. Three warming stations were set up for residents to escape the cold, and nearly 4,000 people in Glynn County remained without power as of Thursday afternoon, according to reports.
The storm has had dire impacts in South Carolina, where a 71-year-old man died while shoveling snow in Berkeley County, as stated by the coroner. The region experienced 3 to 4 inches of snow, leading to treacherous conditions on the roads, including closures of significant routes like the James Island Connector in Charleston due to ice that melted and refroze overnight.
Most schools and county offices in southern and eastern South Carolina remained shuttered, urging residents to stay home for yet another day. A similar situation unfolded in North Carolina, where icy roads continued to pose risks. Fayetteville’s school district opted for a remote learning day to allow students to complete assignments from home, with other districts delaying start times by two hours.
In Alabama, some school systems continued to close on Thursday due to the danger of icy roads and the risk of frozen pipes within schools. Portions of both Interstate 65 and Interstate 10 in coastal Baldwin County were also shut down due to icy conditions.
Air travel across the South slowly began to improve, with only about 600 flights canceled nationwide by Thursday afternoon—a significant reduction compared to the storm’s peak days, according to flight data researchers.
