Canceled flights, stranded vehicles, no power: Winter storm knocks swath of U.S.

A winter season storm has actually knocked into a number of states, leaving a blanket of snow, sleet and freezing rain throughout the South. Among the hardest-hit locations was Atlanta, where more than 220 cars were stranded on the side of the roadway and drew out on Friday. The area’s greatest snowstorm in years has actually likewise canceled more than 900 flights at the city’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

City Atlanta has actually seen in between 2 to 4 inches of snow. It might get even worse now that the snow is transitioning into sleet and freezing rain. NWS’ Peachtree City, Ga., meteorologist Keith Stellman states that has him worried about ice.

“Especially if the ice remains on trees into [Saturday],” Stellman states. “Because we are expecting winds to pick up tomorrow, [it] could cause a power outage concern as some of that ice is on trees and power lines.”

And ice is heavy, so depending upon what falls on it, can break it, according to Andrew Dessler, a teacher of climatic sciences at Texas A&M University.

“ Tree branches, you get enough ice on there, it’ll, the tree branch will collapse,” Dessler states. “The tree branch will take out whatever’s underneath it, if it’s a power line or a fence or anything like that.”

Georgia has a winter season storm caution in location till Saturday early morning, however state authorities are prompting individuals to stay at home till Sunday. If you do require to get on the roadway, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry states remain on highways that are raked and clear.

“Where it’s slushy, remember to slow down,” McMurry states. “Drive very conservatively. No hard braking, and no quick maneuvers of the steering wheel [be]cause it is slick.”

Individuals requiring shelter or warming stations can connect to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Gov. Brian Kemp states parks in the North Georgia Mountains are near capability.

“So just a bit of advice there, if you’re looking for a place, you may want to go south versus north if you can,” Kemp stated.

This is Georgia’s most considerable snow storm given that 2018, according to Stellman. That’s when simply a bit more than 2 inches of snow fell.

Little Rock and Southwest Arkansas were likewise whipped by snow. More than 34,000 Arkansans have actually lost power after 15 inches of snow fell throughout southwest Arkansas. Little Rock saw 9 inches.

Entergy Arkansas, the state’s biggest electrical energy company, states power needs to be brought back by Saturday afternoon. That’s likewise near when the state’s winter season storm caution must end.