Deadly Winter Storm Hits Southern U.S., Thousands of Flights Canceled

A rare winter storm is currently affecting the southern U.S., bringing snow and freezing rain to Texas, Louisiana, and other southern states. As a result, highways are closed, airports are grounded, and southwest Louisiana has issued its first-ever blizzard warning.

Unfortunately, the storm has already claimed lives. Four people are believed to have died from cold exposure. Two deaths in Texas are under investigation, while two others in Georgia and Milwaukee are attributed to hypothermia.

North Faces Heavy Snowfall

Meanwhile, in the northern U.S., New York state has been blanketed by up to 18 inches of snow. Consequently, over 2,200 flights were canceled on Tuesday, and 3,000 others were delayed, according to Flight Aware.

Historic Snowfall Expected in the Gulf Coast

Moreover, the Gulf Coast, where snow is a rare occurrence, is set to experience historic snowfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts over an inch of snow per hour in areas from eastern Texas through the western Florida Panhandle.

New York Declares State of Emergency

In light of the severe weather, New York’s governor declared a state of emergency in 12 counties. Additionally, Buffalo’s mayor has taken action by closing roads and City Hall due to dangerous snowdrifts and poor driving conditions.

At the same time, parts of Canada are also bracing for extreme cold. Ontario and Quebec are under cold weather warnings, with wind chills expected to reach -50°C (-58°F) in some areas.

Southern U.S. Faces Record Lows

As for the southern U.S., the storm’s impact is especially significant. In Rayne, Louisiana, the snow reached 10.5 inches. Temperatures are forecast to dip well below January averages, prompting Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to declare states of emergency.

The storm, which began in Texas on Monday evening, is now moving eastward. By Tuesday afternoon, it reached Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. In response, Florida’s governor urged residents to stay home, explaining that the state’s infrastructure is not built for such extreme weather.

Cold Weather Affects 40 Million People

Furthermore, the storm has affected approximately 40 million people, primarily in the southern U.S. The bitter cold is expected to persist for several days. Consequently, many school systems canceled classes, and Houston’s airports suspended flight operations.

Travel Disruptions Continue

Finally, the National Weather Service cautioned that the storm could cause widespread disruptions in air and land travel for several days, even after the snow has stopped.