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Atlanta man dies as rare snowfall hits American south Atlanta man dies as rare snowfall hits American south
(about 1 hour later)
One man died in Atlanta on Friday night as a winter storm shrouded the south in snow, prompting cancelled flights and travel disruption in a region unused to such weather.One man died in Atlanta on Friday night as a winter storm shrouded the south in snow, prompting cancelled flights and travel disruption in a region unused to such weather.
More snowfall was likely as the storm advanced eastwards. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the snow was expected to move into the mid-Atlantic states, parts of the north-east and New England over the weekend.More snowfall was likely as the storm advanced eastwards. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the snow was expected to move into the mid-Atlantic states, parts of the north-east and New England over the weekend.
Firefighters in Atlanta said a man was electrocuted by a downed power line. The Atlanta fire department told news outlets the unidentified man was found dead in the middle of the roadway, near the live wire.Firefighters in Atlanta said a man was electrocuted by a downed power line. The Atlanta fire department told news outlets the unidentified man was found dead in the middle of the roadway, near the live wire.
Authorities believe the wire was brought down by ice and snow. Officials said residents should not approach downed wires and should instead call 911.Authorities believe the wire was brought down by ice and snow. Officials said residents should not approach downed wires and should instead call 911.
With temperatures expected to sink below freezing across much of the region, forecasters warned that black ice could make roads treacherous. The NWS issued a winter storm warning for northern Georgia, including metropolitan Atlanta, until Saturday morning and forecast up to 3in of additional snow. On Saturday Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport spokesman Reese McCraine said more than 400 morning flights had been canceled. Nearly 1,200 were canceled on Friday.
The snowfall was enough to remind some residents of Atlanta of a 2014 storm that brought the city to a standstill and stranded motorists on roads overnight with just 2in of precipitation. Businesses closed and commuters left work early as snow mixed with rain fell in downtown Atlanta, jamming traffic on slushy roads far ahead of the usual rush hour. McCraine said he expected there would be more cancellations during the early part of the day. Runways were not being treated, he said, because airport officials believed temperatures would not drop below freezing.
Snowfall and icy roads in North Carolina closed government offices and schools, sent cars sliding off the road and altered the governor’s travel plans. McCraine said the airport was looking to begin normal operations by Saturday afternoon. Forecasters said the snowfall would begin to taper off by midmorning.
Forecasters said heavy snow was falling in the mountainous western part of the state with up to 6in likely in areas including Asheville. A winter storm warning was in effect through Saturday morning for western counties. “We’re surprised that this little snowfall would cause this much disruption to the entire city,” said Lucas Rachow, from Switzerland, who stood outside in Atlanta with several colleagues as they waited for a ride to the airport.
Accumulations of 6in (15cm) were reported in Mississippi and northern Georgia, while at least 5in (13cm) fell in Alabama. Rare snow flurries were spotted in New Orleans. Motorists were urged to stay off the road in Louisiana for fear of ice. The weather band also brought a rare snowfall to parts of south Texas. The snowfall was enough to remind some residents of Atlanta of a 2014 storm that brought the city to a standstill and stranded motorists on roads overnight with just 2in of precipitation. On Friday night businesses closed and commuters left work early as snow mixed with rain fell in downtown Atlanta, jamming traffic on slushy roads far ahead of the usual rush hour.
Snowfall and icy roads in North Carolina closed government offices and schools, sent cars sliding off the road and altered the governor’s travel plans. Forecasters said heavy snow was falling in the mountainous western part of the state with up to 6in likely in areas including Asheville. A winter storm warning was in effect through Saturday morning for western counties.
Accumulations of 6in (15cm) were reported in Mississippi and northern Georgia, while at least 5in (13cm) fell in Alabama. Rare snow flurries were spotted in New Orleans. Motorists were urged to stay off the road in Louisiana for fear of ice. The weather band also brought a rare snowfall to parts of south Texas. Truckers were urged to stay off of Interstate 10 in Mississippi.
“It’s the first snow of the season and any time you even mention snow in the south, you’re going to get people a little panicky,” said David Nadler, a meteorologist at the NWS office south of Atlanta.“It’s the first snow of the season and any time you even mention snow in the south, you’re going to get people a little panicky,” said David Nadler, a meteorologist at the NWS office south of Atlanta.
By late afternoon on Friday 688 flights had been canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airport, airport spokesman Reese McCranie said. Later that evening, Delta said on Twitter it had canceled 625 flights because of snow in Atlanta. Delta had prepared for the storm by having crews de-ice planes and waived fees for some passengers scheduled to fly on Friday.
“We’re surprised that this little snowfall would cause this much disruption to the entire city,” said Lucas Rachow, who stood outside in Atlanta with several colleagues as they waited for a ride to the airport. Rachow was heading home to Switzerland after a business meeting and said he did not know if his flight had been canceled.
Highway department officials were monitoring elevated roadways and bridges that stretch across much of south Louisiana, warning motorists to stay home if possible. Some highways were shut down as snow fell in cities and towns that have little experience with it. Truckers were urged to stay off of Interstate 10 in Mississippi.
The frigid temperatures behind a cold front combined with moisture off the Gulf of Mexico to bring the weather to parts of the south. It knocked out power to thousands and caused numerous accidents along slick roadways.