This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25949795
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
US deep South snow storm maroons motorists | US deep South snow storm maroons motorists |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Students stranded overnight after a snow storm left roads in the US South impassable have returned home, and soldiers have rescued stuck motorists. | Students stranded overnight after a snow storm left roads in the US South impassable have returned home, and soldiers have rescued stuck motorists. |
The storm was blamed for at least 12 deaths, many of them traffic-related. | |
Barely 3in (7.6cm) of snow caused havoc in a warm-weather region where many cities do not even have snow ploughs or fleets of salt trucks. | Barely 3in (7.6cm) of snow caused havoc in a warm-weather region where many cities do not even have snow ploughs or fleets of salt trucks. |
Officials were criticised for ineffective preparation despite ample warning of the impending storm. | Officials were criticised for ineffective preparation despite ample warning of the impending storm. |
School officials waited until the middle of Tuesday when snow was already falling to send students home on routes where traffic was grinding to a halt. | School officials waited until the middle of Tuesday when snow was already falling to send students home on routes where traffic was grinding to a halt. |
Thousands of students across Georgia and Alabama spent Tuesday night in school gyms, and hundreds were trapped on school buses in the Atlanta region. | Thousands of students across Georgia and Alabama spent Tuesday night in school gyms, and hundreds were trapped on school buses in the Atlanta region. |
Gridlock | Gridlock |
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal said by Wednesday night all students in the Atlanta area had returned to their families. | Georgia Governor Nathan Deal said by Wednesday night all students in the Atlanta area had returned to their families. |
Many commuters abandoned cars along jammed motorways to seek shelter in churches and fire stations. | Many commuters abandoned cars along jammed motorways to seek shelter in churches and fire stations. |
Gridlock on the streets of Atlanta was so bad that a police officer had to deliver a baby on a snowy motorway. | Gridlock on the streets of Atlanta was so bad that a police officer had to deliver a baby on a snowy motorway. |
Mr Deal said on Wednesday morning that the National Guard had sent military Humvees on to the city's motorways to move stranded school buses and provide food and water to people. | Mr Deal said on Wednesday morning that the National Guard had sent military Humvees on to the city's motorways to move stranded school buses and provide food and water to people. |
And South Carolina's Highway Patrol responded to more than 800 collisions on Tuesday evening. | And South Carolina's Highway Patrol responded to more than 800 collisions on Tuesday evening. |
Several people were killed in weather-related accidents, including five in Alabama on Tuesday, one in Atlanta and two in North Carolina. | Several people were killed in weather-related accidents, including five in Alabama on Tuesday, one in Atlanta and two in North Carolina. |
Another four people died early on Tuesday in a Mississippi caravan fire blamed on a faulty heater. | Another four people died early on Tuesday in a Mississippi caravan fire blamed on a faulty heater. |
New Orleans's main airport, which was closed on Tuesday, has reopened with a reduced service. | New Orleans's main airport, which was closed on Tuesday, has reopened with a reduced service. |
Some 1,700 flights across the US were grounded on Wednesday. | Some 1,700 flights across the US were grounded on Wednesday. |
The latest cold snap stretched across much of the US on Wednesday, sending temperatures as low as -34C (-30F). | The latest cold snap stretched across much of the US on Wednesday, sending temperatures as low as -34C (-30F). |
Offers of help | Offers of help |
The extreme weather also brought out many Good Samaritans who offered food and shelter to strangers battling the elements. | The extreme weather also brought out many Good Samaritans who offered food and shelter to strangers battling the elements. |
"I got some tea from some kids, from them and their mom," stranded motorist Rebekah Cole told CNN amid a then-10 hour commute in Atlanta. | "I got some tea from some kids, from them and their mom," stranded motorist Rebekah Cole told CNN amid a then-10 hour commute in Atlanta. |
But officials faced Atlanta residents angry the city had not taken more precautions. | But officials faced Atlanta residents angry the city had not taken more precautions. |
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Mr Deal apologised on Wednesday for the region's epic traffic jams. | Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Mr Deal apologised on Wednesday for the region's epic traffic jams. |
Officials advised drivers to stay off the roads on Wednesday evening and Thursday as crews work to remove stranded cars and help commuters make their way home. | Officials advised drivers to stay off the roads on Wednesday evening and Thursday as crews work to remove stranded cars and help commuters make their way home. |
"What I'm thinking of every moment is how to get people out of their cars," Mr Reed said, as quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. | "What I'm thinking of every moment is how to get people out of their cars," Mr Reed said, as quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
He said the city could have directed schools and government offices to stagger closings as the storm began, preventing everyone trying to drive home at once. | He said the city could have directed schools and government offices to stagger closings as the storm began, preventing everyone trying to drive home at once. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |