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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 dead, many of them traffic-related. 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.
GridlockGridlock
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 helpOffers 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.
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