Winter Storm Hits Deep South, Bringing Snow, Ice, and School Closures/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful winter storm swept into the Deep South, blanketing states from Texas to South Carolina with snow, sleet, and ice. Governors declared states of emergency, schools were shuttered, and travel became treacherous. Atlanta faced rare snowfall, while northern Arkansas and Tennessee saw accumulations of up to a foot.
Winter Storm Disrupts the South: Quick Looks
- Heavy Snowfall: Up to 12 inches fell in parts of Arkansas; Tennessee saw 6 inches by Friday morning.
- States of Emergency: Governors in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas mobilized resources.
- School Closures: Millions of students across the region stayed home due to dangerous conditions.
- Travel Chaos: Atlanta’s airport halted flights; icy roads caused accidents across multiple states.
- Rare Snow in Atlanta: The storm brought snow angels and delays to an unaccustomed city.
Winter Storm Hits Deep South, Bringing Snow, Ice, and School Closures
Deep Look
A fierce winter storm brought rare snow and ice to the Deep South on Friday, disrupting daily life and prompting states of emergency across the region. From Texas to Georgia and as far east as South Carolina, the storm delivered heavy snowfall, icy roads, and freezing rain, creating dangerous travel conditions and shuttering schools.
Snowfall Totals and Conditions
Northern Arkansas and much of Tennessee bore the brunt of the storm, with some areas reporting up to 12 inches of snow. By Friday morning, Memphis was covered in 6 inches of heavy, wet snow, with more falling throughout the day.
In Texas and Oklahoma, central regions received up to 7 inches of snow earlier in the week. Snowfall also blanketed metro Atlanta, where residents, unaccustomed to such conditions, marveled at the rare sight.
Mikayla Johnson, a 12-year-old Atlanta resident, relished the experience, making snow angels and snowmen. “We haven’t had snow since I was like 4—the good snow, at least,” she said.
States Mobilize Resources
Governors across the South declared states of emergency to mobilize resources and assist stranded motorists. In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Sanders deployed the National Guard to help drivers stuck on icy roads. Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp also declared a state of emergency, citing hazardous conditions and widespread power outage risks.
Alabama and South Carolina faced similar challenges, with icy roads and snow leading to closures of schools and state offices.
Travel Disruptions
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest airport, canceled hundreds of flights and declared a ground stop early Friday morning. Major hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Nashville, and Charlotte also saw significant delays.
Fifty-five passengers on diverted flights spent the night at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock after icy conditions forced planes to land there instead of Dallas.
Impact on Daily Life
- Schools: Millions of students from Texas to the Carolinas were either home for a snow day or attending online classes. In metro Atlanta, over 1 million students were affected.
- Public Services: Crews worked to tow vehicles stuck in the snow, a critical lesson learned from Atlanta’s disastrous 2014 snowstorm. Graceland in Memphis canceled tours, while Raleigh, North Carolina, called off an outdoor inauguration ceremony for statewide officials.
Personal Stories
For Florida-native Joe Feliciano, delivering mail in snowy Nashville was a unique experience. Despite his nerves, he credited U.S. Postal Service training for helping him adapt. “This is like, ‘Wow!’ This is a lot of snow,” Feliciano said.
Southern Snow Rarity
The storm marked the first significant snowfall in years for some parts of the South. Columbia, South Carolina, saw icy conditions for the first time in three years, with vehicles skidding off Interstate 95. Meanwhile, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama experienced a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain, adding to travel challenges.
Weather Outlook
The storm is expected to continue through Saturday, with parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and West Virginia forecast to receive up to 8 inches of snow. The National Weather Service warns of potentially treacherous roadways and widespread power outages as snow and ice accumulate.
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