Flight Cancellations and Dangerous Roads
A winter storm has gripped the southern United States, leaving a trail of biting cold and wet snow in its wake. Flight cancellations have piled up, and officials are warning of continued dangerous road conditions. The storm has led to school closures and travel disruptions across the region. As the storm moves out to sea off the East Coast, snow showers are forecasted in the Appalachian Mountains and New England. However, temperatures are expected to plummet after sundown in the South, increasing the risk of melting snow refreezing and turning roadways treacherously icy.
National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Carroll in Atlanta stated, “I definitely don’t think everything’s going to completely melt. Especially the secondary roads will probably still have some slush on them.” While major roads are mostly clear, airports, including those in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, continue to experience disruptions. Despite flights operating, airlines have been forced to cancel and delay more flights, creating chaos for travelers.
Lingering Effects on Roadways and Air Travel
By Saturday afternoon, around 1,000 flights in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were canceled or delayed. Passengers faced long security lines and extended waits due to the weather-related disruptions. Sarah Waithera Wanyoike, a traveler from Lilburn, described the challenging situation, where passengers were left stranded on the airport floor with their babies overnight.
Delta Air Lines, the largest carrier at the Atlanta airport, is working to stabilize operations and anticipates a resumption of reliable service over the weekend. Meanwhile, in Richmond, Virginia, a boil-water advisory was lifted after nearly a week, signaling a step towards normalcy after the storm’s impact on the city’s water system.
Recovery Efforts and Community Resilience
Businesses and churches in Nashville, Tennessee, began the process of digging out from several inches of snow to reopen for the weekend. At Judah Temple of Praise, church members came together to clear snow and prepare for Sunday services, emphasizing the importance of community resilience during challenging times. Andy Atkins, co-owner of the Bad Luck Burger Club food truck, expressed a mix of hope and concern as he cleared snow from his business, highlighting the financial strain caused by the weather-related closures.
As schools across multiple states remain closed, officials in northern Alabama are monitoring secondary roads for ice accumulation, potentially extending school closures into the upcoming week. The storm brought record snowfall to various cities, exceeding yearly averages and causing disruptions that will require time to resolve. The combination of extreme weather events, from heavy snow to freezing rain, underscores the need for preparedness and community support in the face of unpredictable conditions.