Southern Winter Wonderland: Record-Breaking Snowfall Hits the South
A rare winter storm has pummeled the South, leaving a trail of broken snow records from Texas to Florida and crippling cities with dangerous road conditions and power outages.
Declared a "once in a generation" weather event by the National Weather Service, the storm has brought unprecedented snowfall to areas unaccustomed to such extreme cold. New Orleans experienced its first measurable snowfall since 2009, while Jacksonville saw its first significant snowfall in 35 years. Houston faced its most significant winter storm in at least 60 years.
The storm's impact will linger for days in Southern cities, which are ill-equipped to handle the deep freeze that has enveloped most of the nation this week. As of Wednesday, over 130,000 homes and businesses remained without power across Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Snowfall Accumulation in Southern States
The National Weather Service has published an interactive map tracking snow accumulation reports across the U.S. Here's a breakdown of the snowfall totals in the affected Southern states:
Florida
Florida shattered its 130-year-old record for total snowfall. Pensacola received an astonishing 8.8 inches of snow, surpassing the previous record of 4 inches set in 1954.
Alabama
Mobile, Alabama, witnessed its heaviest snowfall in over 60 years, with 7.5 inches accumulating in the city. Areas east and south of Mobile, like Spanish Fort and Silverhill, received up to 9.5 inches of snow.
Louisiana
Louisiana experienced its first-ever blizzard warning, with areas like Lafayette receiving up to 10 inches of snow. New Orleans International Airport recorded 8 inches of snow, triple the previous record set more than 60 years ago.
Texas
The storm originated in Texas on Tuesday, blanketing highways and causing widespread traffic disruptions before moving eastward. Houston-Galveston saw up to 6 inches of snowfall, leading to school closures on Wednesday.
Georgia
Southwestern Georgia, including Blakely and Camilla, reported up to 8 inches of snow. The Atlanta area received approximately an inch of snow.
Carolinas
Eastern North Carolina experienced several inches of snow, with areas around Wilmington receiving up to 5 inches. The Raleigh-Durham area saw 1-2 inches, while Charlotte received less than an inch. The South Carolina coast, including Myrtle Beach, also saw around 5 inches of snowfall.
Safety Precautions and Response
Local authorities in affected areas have urged residents to stay off the roads due to hazardous conditions. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves emphasized the importance of staying home, stating that individuals putting themselves at risk also jeopardize first responders and their ability to respond effectively.
Utility crews are working tirelessly to restore power to affected areas, but it may take several days for full restoration. Residents are encouraged to conserve energy and stay informed about updates from local officials.
For the latest updates on the storm and its impact, please refer to the National Weather Service website and local news sources.
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