New Orleans Snowfall Shatters Records: Storm Reaches Florida, Carolinas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A historic winter storm swept across the Gulf Coast, delivering record-breaking snow to New Orleans before advancing into Florida and the Carolinas. Snowfall shut down schools, grounded flights, and caused widespread disruptions in cities unaccustomed to such weather. With Arctic air plunging temperatures and three fatalities reported, the storm has left a lasting impact across the southern U.S.
Winter Storm Quick Looks
- Rare Southern Snowfall: New Orleans saw 10 inches of snow, breaking the 1963 record of 2.7 inches.
- Impacts on Travel: Over 2,300 flights canceled, major airports across Texas and Louisiana affected.
- State of Emergency: Declared in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
- Unique Reactions: Locals embraced the rare snow day with activities like sledding and snowball fights.
- Fatalities Reported: Three deaths linked to the freezing temperatures in Texas and Georgia.
New Orleans Snowfall Shatters Records: Storm Reaches Florida, Carolinas
Deep Look
A winter storm of historic proportions left a trail of record-breaking snowfall and freezing temperatures across the southern United States, disrupting daily life and captivating residents with its rarity. Beginning in Texas, the Arctic blast moved eastward, blanketing New Orleans and extending into Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Record Snowfall in New Orleans
In New Orleans, a city more familiar with hurricane evacuations than snow days, 10 inches of snow fell—far exceeding the previous record of 2.7 inches set in 1963. The snowfall transformed the region into a winter wonderland, with people skiing along Bourbon Street, sledding down levees, and engaging in snowball fights. Even nuns at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School participated in the fun, with a snowball fight captured on social media.
Highways were closed, schools shuttered, and flights canceled across the Gulf Coast. In Houston, blizzard warnings were issued for the first time, while snowplows were mobilized as far south as Florida. Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Pensacola Beach, Florida, saw their white sands replaced by snow drifts.
Severe Weather and Fatalities
The storm brought extreme cold, with temperatures plunging below freezing across the affected states. In Texas, two people died from cold exposure in Austin, while a third person succumbed to hypothermia in Georgia. Authorities warned of hazardous conditions, urging residents to stay indoors.
Transportation Disruptions
Travel chaos ensued as airports across the region suspended operations. Over 2,300 flights were canceled on Tuesday alone, with New Orleans and Houston airports among the hardest hit. Snowplows, typically unnecessary in these areas, were deployed to clear roads in cities unprepared for such conditions.
States of Emergency Declared
Governors in five southern states declared states of emergency, with schools and government offices closing in anticipation of dangerous weather. The Outer Banks of North Carolina braced for near-blizzard conditions, with up to 8 inches of snow predicted.
A Rare Southern Snow Day
Despite the disruptions, many residents embraced the unusual weather. High school teacher David Delio and his daughters sledded down snow-covered levees on yoga mats, while Floridians took to social media to document snowplows clearing icy roads. The sight of snow-covered beaches and palm trees created a surreal backdrop for this historic event.
Wider Impacts and Continuing Danger
The storm is part of a broader Arctic blast affecting the Midwest and East Coast. In Southern California, concerns shifted to the return of strong Santa Ana winds, threatening areas already devastated by wildfires.
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