South Under Ice: Winter Storm Disrupts Power, Schools, and Flights/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful winter storm has brought snow, ice, and power outages to the U.S. South, leaving over 110,000 Georgians without electricity and creating dangerous travel conditions. With snow days stretching from Texas to South Carolina, the storm caused flight cancellations and delayed a Delta takeoff in Atlanta. Freezing rain and icy roads are expected to persist into the weekend.
Southern Winter Storm: Quick Looks
- Wide Impact: Heavy snow and freezing rain caused power outages, grounded flights, and closed schools across the South.
- Georgia Hit Hard: Atlanta saw widespread outages, icy roads, and hundreds of canceled flights.
- Travel Disruptions: Airports in Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Nashville also faced delays and cancellations.
- Kids Enjoy Snow Days: Rare snowfall allowed children across the region to experience sledding and snowball fights.
- Ongoing Threats: More freezing rain and snow are forecast through Saturday in parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
South Under Ice: Winter Storm Disrupts Power, Schools, and Flights
Deep Look
A Rare Southern Freeze
A powerful winter storm brought snow, sleet, and ice to much of the southern United States, disrupting daily life and creating dangerous conditions. Georgia, particularly metro Atlanta, bore the brunt of the storm, with over 110,000 customers left without power as freezing rain accumulated Friday evening. Georgia Power confirmed fallen trees and icy roads contributed to widespread outages, with crews working overnight to restore service where conditions allowed.
Treacherous Travel and Flight Chaos
The storm caused havoc at major airports across the region. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest, saw hundreds of canceled and delayed flights. A Delta plane bound for Minneapolis aborted takeoff Friday morning, resulting in four injuries, one of which required hospitalization. Delta attributed the incident to a potential engine issue but said it was unclear if the storm contributed.
Other airports in Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Nashville reported significant disruptions, and the Federal Aviation Administration warned of continuing delays into the weekend.
On the roads, snow and ice made travel perilous. Officials in Tennessee urged drivers to give snowplows space after a semitrailer struck a state transportation truck. South Carolina, experiencing its first wintry weather in three years, reported vehicles skidding off icy Interstate 95 south of Columbia.
Snow Days and Winter Fun
For children in the South, the storm offered a rare opportunity to enjoy the snow. Mikayla Johnson, a 12-year-old from Atlanta, delighted in making snow angels and snowmen. “We haven’t had snow like this since I was 4,” she said.
In Memphis, Tennessee, where snowfall exceeded seven inches—well above the city’s yearly average—residents marveled at the accumulation. Arkansas also saw significant snowfall, with parts of the state receiving up to a foot.
States Mobilize for Emergency Response
Governors in multiple states declared emergencies as the storm swept across the region. Arkansas and North Carolina activated National Guard troops to assist with stranded motorists and disaster response. In Richmond, Virginia, officials bolstered resources at the city’s water treatment facility after a similar storm earlier in the week caused outages.
Public events were also affected. North Carolina’s outdoor inauguration ceremony for Gov. Josh Stein was canceled due to the storm. Officials in other states warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel and give plows and utility workers room to operate.
A Broader Pattern of Extremes
Meteorologists attributed the cold snap to the polar vortex, a system of ultra-cold air that occasionally dips southward into the U.S. Such events, experts note, may become more frequent as climate change disrupts global weather patterns. The storm coincided with rare January wildfires in Los Angeles, highlighting the extremes of weather seen nationwide.
What’s Next?
The National Weather Service predicts continued snow and freezing rain in parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and West Virginia through Saturday. With icy conditions and power outages likely to persist, residents are urged to exercise caution and prepare for further disruptions.
Despite the challenges, communities are finding moments of joy amid the snow, from impromptu sledding to snowball fights—a rare treat for a region unaccustomed to winter’s icy grip.
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