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Winter storm blamed for nine deaths as snow system moves up east coast Winter storm blamed for nine deaths as snow system moves up east coast
(7 months later)
The second wintry storm in two weeks to hit the US south brought treacherous conditions to highways, forced thousands of flight cancellations and knocked out electricity to nearly a half-million homes and businesses.The second wintry storm in two weeks to hit the US south brought treacherous conditions to highways, forced thousands of flight cancellations and knocked out electricity to nearly a half-million homes and businesses.
At least nine traffic deaths across the region were blamed on the weather, including three people who were killed when an ambulance careened off an icy west Texas road and caught fire. Nearly 3,300 airline flights nationwide were cancelled.At least nine traffic deaths across the region were blamed on the weather, including three people who were killed when an ambulance careened off an icy west Texas road and caught fire. Nearly 3,300 airline flights nationwide were cancelled.
Forecasters warned of a potentially “catastrophic” storm across the south with more than an inch of ice possible in places. Snow was forecast overnight, with up to 3in (7.6cm) possible in Atlanta and much higher amounts in the Carolinas.Forecasters warned of a potentially “catastrophic” storm across the south with more than an inch of ice possible in places. Snow was forecast overnight, with up to 3in (7.6cm) possible in Atlanta and much higher amounts in the Carolinas.
As the day wore on, power outages climbed by the hour and the dreary weather came in waves. President Barack Obama declared a disaster in South Carolina, and parts of Georgia, opening the way for federal aid. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, palm trees were covered with a thick crust of ice. As the day wore on, power outages climbed by the hour and the dreary weather came in waves. President Barack Obama declared a disaster in South Carolina, and parts of Georgia, opening the way for federal aid. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, palm trees were covered with a thick crust of ice.
The storm did not wreak the highway havoc in Atlanta that the previous bout of heavy weather did – largely because people learned their lesson the last time and stayed off the roads.The storm did not wreak the highway havoc in Atlanta that the previous bout of heavy weather did – largely because people learned their lesson the last time and stayed off the roads.
As residents across the south heeded forecasters’ unusually dire warnings and hunkered down at home against the onslaught of snow and freezing rain, the storm pushed northward, threatening to bring more than a foot of snow Thursday to the mid-Atlantic and north-east statesAs residents across the south heeded forecasters’ unusually dire warnings and hunkered down at home against the onslaught of snow and freezing rain, the storm pushed northward, threatening to bring more than a foot of snow Thursday to the mid-Atlantic and north-east states
Ice combined with wind gusts up to 30mph (48kph) snapped tree limbs and power lines. More than 200,000 homes and businesses lost electricity in Georgia, 130,000 in South Carolina and nearly 30,000 in Louisiana. Some people could be in the dark for days.Ice combined with wind gusts up to 30mph (48kph) snapped tree limbs and power lines. More than 200,000 homes and businesses lost electricity in Georgia, 130,000 in South Carolina and nearly 30,000 in Louisiana. Some people could be in the dark for days.
In Atlanta, which was caught unprepared by the last storm, streets and highways were largely deserted this time. Before the first drop of sleet even fell, area schools announced they would be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Many businesses in the corporate capital of the south shut down, too.In Atlanta, which was caught unprepared by the last storm, streets and highways were largely deserted this time. Before the first drop of sleet even fell, area schools announced they would be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Many businesses in the corporate capital of the south shut down, too.
The scene was markedly different from the one on 28 January, when thousands of children were stranded all night in schools by less than 3in of snow and countless drivers abandoned their cars after getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours and hours.The scene was markedly different from the one on 28 January, when thousands of children were stranded all night in schools by less than 3in of snow and countless drivers abandoned their cars after getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours and hours.
North Carolina governor Pat McCrory urged people to charge their cellphones and find batteries for radios and flashlights because the storm could bring nearly a foot of snow in places such as Charlotte. “Stay smart. Don’t put your stupid hat on at this point in time. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your neighbors,” McCrory said.North Carolina governor Pat McCrory urged people to charge their cellphones and find batteries for radios and flashlights because the storm could bring nearly a foot of snow in places such as Charlotte. “Stay smart. Don’t put your stupid hat on at this point in time. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your neighbors,” McCrory said.
For the mid-Atlantic and the north-east, the heavy weather was the latest in a series of storms that have depleted cities’ salt supplies and caused school systems to run out of snow days. Washington DC could get up to 8in of snow. New York City could see 6in.For the mid-Atlantic and the north-east, the heavy weather was the latest in a series of storms that have depleted cities’ salt supplies and caused school systems to run out of snow days. Washington DC could get up to 8in of snow. New York City could see 6in.
In Atlanta, stinging drops of sleet fell and windshields were crusted over with ice. Slushy sidewalks made even short walks treacherous. In an warning issued early Wednesday, National Weather Service called the storm “catastrophic ... crippling ... paralyzing ... choose your adjective.”In Atlanta, stinging drops of sleet fell and windshields were crusted over with ice. Slushy sidewalks made even short walks treacherous. In an warning issued early Wednesday, National Weather Service called the storm “catastrophic ... crippling ... paralyzing ... choose your adjective.”
Meteorologist Eli Jacks noted that three-quarters of an inch of ice would be catastrophic anywhere.Meteorologist Eli Jacks noted that three-quarters of an inch of ice would be catastrophic anywhere.
However, the south is particularly vulnerable: many trees are allowed to hang over power lines for the simple reason that people don’t normally have to worry about ice and snow snapping off limbs.However, the south is particularly vulnerable: many trees are allowed to hang over power lines for the simple reason that people don’t normally have to worry about ice and snow snapping off limbs.