Snow and Ice Cripple U.S. South: States Declare Emergencies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain to the U.S. South, disrupting travel, closing schools, and prompting state emergencies. Arkansas, Texas, and other southern states were hit hardest, with National Guard mobilizations and warnings to stay off treacherous roads. The storm is expected to move northeast, impacting states as far as Virginia and the Carolinas.
Southern Winter Storm: Quick Looks
- Snowfall Totals: Up to 7 inches in Oklahoma and Texas; 8 inches expected in Georgia and North Carolina.
- State Emergencies: Declared in Arkansas, Texas, and Georgia due to dangerous conditions.
- School Closures: Over 1 million students affected across multiple states.
- Flight Disruptions: 1,800 flights canceled, with Dallas among the hardest-hit airports.
- Polar Vortex: Contributing to rare severe winter weather in the South.
- Boil-Water Advisory: Richmond, Virginia, faces ongoing water issues after earlier storms.
Deep Look
Rare Winter Storm Cripples Southern U.S., Disrupting Life Across Multiple States
A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. South on Thursday, leaving a trail of snow, ice, and disruption from Oklahoma to Georgia. The storm, rare for this region, forced school closures for millions of students, grounded flights, and turned roads into dangerous ice rinks. As the storm moves northeast, southern states are grappling with the immediate impacts while bracing for the challenges ahead.
Snow and Ice Blanket the South
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported snowfall of 6-7 inches in parts of Oklahoma and Texas, with heavy snow extending into Arkansas and parts of Tennessee. Meanwhile, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama experienced a hazardous mix of sleet and freezing rain, making travel treacherous and increasing the risk of power outages.
In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Sanders mobilized the National Guard to assist motorists stranded on icy roads. Arkansas wasn’t alone in feeling the storm’s impact: Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina prepared for heavy snowfall and dangerous road conditions as the storm advanced eastward.
Charles Daniel, a truck driver navigating the slushy roads of central Oklahoma, described the conditions: “I have not seen any accidents, but I have seen people get stuck and sliding around. People do not need to be driving.”
School Closures Disrupt Education
The storm closed schools across a wide swath of the South, affecting more than 1 million students. In Texas and Oklahoma, districts preemptively canceled classes for Thursday and Friday, ensuring families could avoid dangerous commutes.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools in Tennessee, the state’s largest district, followed suit, closing schools and administrative buildings as the city prepared for up to 6 inches of snow. Warming centers in Memphis were opened to shelter vulnerable residents from the freezing temperatures.
South Carolina, facing its first winter storm in three years, prepared by treating major highways with brine and salt. School districts in affected areas announced closures or transitioned to online learning to ensure student safety.
Travel Chaos: Flights Grounded and Roads Treacherous
The storm wreaked havoc on travel, with over 1,800 flights canceled nationwide by Thursday morning. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) bore the brunt of these disruptions, with hundreds of cancellations and delays. FlightAware, a flight-tracking service, reported over 3,800 delays nationwide as icy conditions hampered airport operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. In Dallas, Carmen Munoz, a teacher, heeded that advice, bundling up in a downtown park before planning to hunker down at home. “I’ll be home, drinking coffee,” she said.
In Arlington, Texas, officials prepared for potential road hazards as 75,000 fans are expected to attend the Cotton Bowl football championship between Texas and Ohio State. Crews have been mobilized to address icy roads near the stadium.
Northeastward Advance: New States in the Storm’s Path
The winter storm is expected to shift northeast by Friday, bringing snow and ice to parts of Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The NWS forecasts up to 8 inches of snow in some areas, particularly in higher elevations.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency as northern parts of the state braced for severe winter weather. Forecasters warned that metro Atlanta could face widespread road closures and power outages due to snow and ice accumulation.
Virginia and the Carolinas are also on high alert. In Richmond, Virginia’s capital, residents are already grappling with a boil-water advisory due to an earlier winter storm. Mayor Danny Avula announced that bottled water distribution sites remain active, and efforts to restore the city’s water reservoir system are ongoing.
Polar Vortex and Climate Complexities
This storm, while rare for the South, is part of a broader pattern tied to disruptions in the polar vortex. Normally confined to the Arctic, the polar vortex sometimes dips south, bringing intense cold to regions unaccustomed to such conditions.
Experts suggest that the frequency and intensity of these events may be influenced by climate change, which disrupts atmospheric patterns and can lead to extreme weather. Paradoxically, a warming world may contribute to more severe cold snaps in certain regions.
Southern States Strain Under Demand
The winter storm revealed the vulnerabilities of southern states’ infrastructure when faced with extreme weather. In Los Angeles, a separate weather crisis unfolded as rare January wildfires tore through the area, showcasing the extreme contrasts brought by a changing climate.
In Texas and Oklahoma, municipal water systems struggled to meet the demands of firefighters and residents. Janisse Quiñones, head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, noted that hydrants in Dallas were overwhelmed. “Hydrants are designed for fighting fires at one or two houses at a time, not hundreds,” she said.
Social and Economic Impact
The storm has not only disrupted daily life but also exposed broader social vulnerabilities. In Memphis, officials opened warming centers to shelter residents without adequate heating. Across affected areas, businesses closed, and residents were urged to stay home to avoid accidents.
The economic impact is still being calculated, with airlines, schools, and local governments bearing significant costs. Additionally, concerns over power outages loom large as ice accumulation threatens electrical grids in Georgia and the Carolinas.
Looking Ahead
As the storm moves northeast, states in its path are bracing for continued disruptions. Emergency services and local governments are urging residents to prioritize safety and stay off roads wherever possible. Meanwhile, the southern states impacted early in the storm are beginning the process of recovery, clearing roads and assessing damages.
This winter storm serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather and the growing need for climate resilience in regions unaccustomed to such events.
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