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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Julia Musto

Winter storm live updates: Florida buried in record-breaking snow as ice freezes South leaving at least 13 dead

Gulf Coast Texas United States

Florida saw the most snowfall in its history Tuesday, as a rare and deadly winter storm walloped the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

The heaviest snow occurred around Pensacola, where 9 inches had fallen. That’s more than double the Sunshine State’s previous record. Although the system was moving offshore, light snow was still reported in Jacksonville early Wednesday.

“It’s different seeing your hometown getting snow when you live in a beach town. But it’s really cool to see this, this once in a lifetime opportunity,” high school senior Jack Barter told the Pensacola News Journal.

Florida wasn’t the only state hit with the winter storm that has left more than 220 million Americans feeling the frigid air.

Historic levels of snow fell in Louisiana, with 8 inches measured at New Orleans International Airport.

“This breaks (by a long shot) the previous record of 2.7 inches set on December 31st, 1963,” the National Weather Service said.

The deaths of at least 13 people have been linked to the Arctic blast, including one in Georgia, two in Houston, two more in Austin, and five in Zavala County, Texas. None of the deceased were immediately identified.

Key Points

  • Florida receives heaviest snowfall in state’s history as beaches turn white
  • Mapped: Florida and Louisiana have more snowpack than South Dakota
  • At least 13 people have died amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall
  • Winter weather continues to hamper air and ground travel
  • Frigid temperatures and low wind chill values will linger for several days

Georgia governor warns driver about dangerous conditions

20:17 , Julia Musto
Snow begins to stick on I-285 in Tucker, Georgia, on Tuesday. Dangerous travel conditions are sticking around in the Southeast (AP)

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says his state is not yet out of the woods when it comes to dangerous road conditions.

“If you don’t need to drive, don’t. Teams are working to treat roads across the state, but keep in mind that backroads and shaded areas may take days to fully thaw,” he said in a social media post.

Jacksonville bridges reopen after multiple crashes and ice concerns

20:00 , Julia Musto

The city’s airport has also reopened.

Here’s how to stay safe on ice

19:45 , Julia Musto

NBA postpones Pelicans-Bucks game

19:30 , Julia Musto

The NBA said Wednesday that it had postponed an evening game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks due to dangerous road conditions in Louisiana.

The game was scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time.

Alabama airports remain closed through Thursday

19:15 , Julia Musto

South Carolina-LSU women’s basketball game pushed after winter weather

19:00 , Julia Musto

The Southeastern Conference has postponed Thursday night’s women’s basketball game between LSU and South Carolina until Friday.

The game is set to take place in Columbia, South Carolina.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Multiple crashes reported in South Carolina amid winter weather

18:45 , Julia Musto

Alabama schools will remain closed as superintendent says there’s sure to be 'busted pipes’

18:37 , Julia Musto

An Alabama county superintendent says school closures in Baldwin County are expected to continue through the week.

“Baldwin County Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the week,” Superintendent Eddie Tyler said in an email to parents on Wednesday.

“The snow has been beautiful and fun, but there could be a lot of problems hiding under all this snow and ice,” he said, according to WKRG. “Any busted pipes are still frozen, but when they thaw, we could have water everywhere (I am certain we will have some busted pipes). Because most Baldwin County roads will remain closed today, I can’t send personnel to inspect heating systems and food storage units. So, I’m in the blind as to what’s working and what’s not.”

Tallahassee snow is seen from space

18:30 , Julia Musto

Photos: South Carolina sees snow across its coast

18:29 , Julia Musto
A car drives across the H.L. Hunley bridge after a winter storm dropped ice and snow on Wednesday on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The Carolinas were the latest states to be affected by the storm (AP)
A man and his dog enjoy the beach after a winter storm dropped ice and snow on Wednesday on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. More than 5 inches of snow were reported in the state (AP)
People enjoy the snow after a winter storm dropped ice and snow Wednesday on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. Shower blanketed the states’s coast (AP)
People take advantage of the snow on the H.L. Hunley bridge after a winter storm dropped ice and snow Wednesday on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Freezing rain also fell in the state (AP)

Louisiana governor urges residents to refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary

18:15 , Julia Musto

Icy conditions force Georgia residents to abandon their vehicles

18:15 , Julia Musto

Shirt commemorates historic Florida storm

18:00 , Julia Musto

A new t-shirt commemorating Florida’s winter storm is raising money for people experiencing homelessness.

The shirt was released by the state’s advertising group CATECOMM.

Bridges and roads close in Florida due to car accidents and icy conditions

17:45 , Julia Musto

Over 100 vehicles were stranded in DeKalb County

17:41 , Julia Musto

More than 100 vehicles were stranded in DeKalb County, Georgia, as ice impacted roadways.

“Residents are strongly urged to avoid travel to prevent further incidents and delays,” county officials said in a news release.

South Carolina sees nearly four inches of snow

17:30 , Julia Musto
Robert Spiotta, 10, walks his boogie board across the beach on Wednesday after a winter storm dropped ice and snow on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The storm shifted east after pounding the Gulf Coast (AP)

Forecasters said Wednesday that Bowman, South Carolina, had seen nearly 4 inches of snow.

Totals in other parts of the state were highest along the coast, with areas near Myrtle Beach reporting more than 5 inches.

Houston forecasters warn of icy sheets and black ice

17:15 , Julia Musto

Baton Rouge Airport Ryan Field records its coldest temperature on record

17:00 , Julia Musto

Is there any warmth on the horizon for New Orleans?

16:45 , Julia Musto

NOAA satellites capture fresh snowpack across the South

16:30 , Julia Musto

Photos show Florida’s Pensacola coated with thick white snow

16:24 , Julia Musto
Heavy snow falls onto palm trees and the Florida Welcome Center on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. Florida broke its state snowfall record of 4 inches (AP)
Heavy snow and ice are seen Tuesday on Interstate 110 in Pensacola, Florida. The city was under an emergency order (AP)
Luke Marshall walks down snow covered streets with a body board on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. The state saw snow continuing into Wednesday (AP)
Matthey Shashaty, 12, uses a skim board snow at Bayview Park on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. Many people took to their boards on Tuesday (AP)

Georgia residents told to shelter in place due to icy roads: ‘This is a serious situation’

16:15 , Julia Musto

Residents of Georgia’s DeKalb County were told to shelter in place and stay off ice-covered roads on Wednesday.

The county has declared a state of emergency, according to WSB-TV.

“This is a serious situation,” Dekalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson said. “We are asking for everyone’s patience and cooperation as our teams work around the clock to ensure public safety. Staying off the roads is critical—not only for your safety but to allow emergency responders to reach those in need.”

More than 110,000 customers are left without power following storm

16:10 , Julia Musto

More than 111,000 customers in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana remained without power on Wednesday as a rare southern winter storm shifted eastward. The majority of outages were tracked in Georgia, according to PowerOutage.US.

The National Weather Service said that any power outages across the Gulf Coast and Southeast due to the winter storm would exacerbate the threat from the cold for these areas.

Frigid temperatures and low wind chill values will linger for several days

16:06 , Julia Musto
Motorists drive in heavy snow on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. Storm impacts were still expected there early Wednesday morning (AP)

Forecasters cautioned Wednesday that cold weather and precipitation would continue Wednesday morning for the Southeast and Gulf Coast.

Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected from northern Florida to North Carolina, resulting in major travel disruptions.

Snow in the Gulf Coast has come to end, but the National Weather Service warned travel impacts may linger for several days given the “historic heavy accumulations combined with frigid temperatures” and the lack of equipment for clearing roads.

A slow recovery is expected by Thursday, as high temperatures rise between five and 10 degrees.

Winter weather continues to hamper air and ground travel

15:59 , Julia Musto

More than 3,400 flights were delayed or canceled on Wednesday morning within, into, or out of the U.S.

Tracker FlightAware showed hundreds of canceled flights in Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte, and New Orleans.

This comes as authorities have warned residents to stay off roads across the impacted region.

Thick ice covered New Orleans streets.

“NOLAREADY: Snowfall has subsided, but snow has compacted on roadways, leading to slick and icy surfaces and making travel dangerous. Please, stay off the roads,” the city’s emergency managers urged.

At least 13 people have died amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall

15:54 , Julia Musto

At least 13 people have died this week amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall from a rare southern winter storm.

Austin-Travis County emergency officials have responded to more than a dozen cold exposure calls since Monday. Those include two fatal incidents.

Georgia has seen at least one death due to the winter weather. A critical needs patient got outside Monday night and died of hypothermia, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Chris Stallings explained to reporters on Tuesday.

A woman driving in Harris County, Texas, died when her car left its lane and crashed head-on into an oncoming 18-wheeler, according to the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office also said a man who may have been homeless was found dead in a parking lot in the Katy area, The Houston Chronicle reported.

And, five people were killed following a crash in Zavala County amid icy conditions, according to Uvalde County authorities.

The accident occurred on Highway 57 just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Fox San Antonio.

The individuals were not immediately identified.

James Ball, a 65-year-old Stratford, Texas, man, was killed in a Monday crash in Moore County, officials said. Ball had been traveling at an unsafe speed, according to KFDA.

Caleb Green, 37, died in a fire after using his stove for heat in Alabama’s Dale County, according to NBC News. A woman driving in the county was also killed when she hydroplaned and was ejected from her vehicle.

Mapped: Florida and Louisiana have more snowpack than South Dakota

15:45 , Julia Musto
This snow depth analysis shows the impact of the historic winter storm across the South. Florida and Louisiana are shown to have more snowpack than South Dakota (NWS Binghamton/X)

Florida receives heaviest snowfall in state’s history as beaches turn white

15:35 , Julia Musto

Florida just saw the heaviest snowfall in its history

14:40 , Julia Musto
Heavy snow falls onto the Florida Welcome Center on in Pensacola. The Sunshine State saw its most snowfall in history (AP)

Florida just saw its most snow on record. Citizens in Pensacola reported snow totals of more than 8.4 inches, and Milton reported nearly 9 inches, according to meteorologist Brooks Garner.

“These totals more than DOUBLED our previous Florida record for most snow in one event,” he wrote in a social media post.

Milton’s total was more than double the state record set in 1954.

New Orleans saw bigger storm on Tuesday than Boston has in three years

13:00 , Julia Musto

Florida pre-treats more than 600 state-owned bridges in the Panhandle

11:00 , Julia Musto

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says Tuesday was ‘historic and magical day'

10:00 , Julia Musto

It was “a historic and magical day,“ Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told reporters on Tuesday.

“Kids have had an opportunity to see a part of nature here in Louisiana that we never get to see,” he said.

Preliminary snow totals reveal 10.5 inches fell in this city

09:00 , Julia Musto
People walk as snow falls in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Tuesday. A rare and impactful storm brought inches of snow to the Southeast (AP)

Preliminary totals of snowfall in Louisiana revealed that between four and 10.5 inches had fallen across the state, with the highest in the city of Rayne.

Texas saw up to 6 inches in Pine Forest.

Timelapse shows snowfall at National Weather Service in Mobile

08:00 , Julia Musto

NOAA satellites show blue, chilly hues across the country

07:00 , Julia Musto

How does wind chill affect the body?

06:00 , Julia Musto
Arctic air and brisk winds,can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values. Wind chill can cause the body to rapidly lose head (NWS/X)

Cold weather deaths are on the rise. Climate change could make people more susceptible

05:00 , Julia Musto

Cold weather deaths are on the rise. Climate change could be a factor

Cold weather advisory issued for Florida counties

04:00 , Julia Musto

Alabama will see very cold temperatures as low as 5 to 15 degrees through Wednesday morning

03:00 , Julia Musto
A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect for wind chills between 5 and 15 degrees and temperatures less than 20 degrees through Wednesday morning. Forecasters warned residents to limit their time outdoors (NWS Birmingham/X)

Florida deploys snowplows to remove snow and ice in Santa Rosa County

02:00 , Julia Musto

Heavy snow could cause near whiteout conditions over southeastern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle

01:00 , Julia Musto

The historic Gulf Coast winter storm will continue this week. Here’s what to know

00:30 , Julia Musto

Light-to-moderate snow is continuing around New Orleans

00:00 , Julia Musto

Tampa to see cold, wet, and windy Wednesday

Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:30 , Julia Musto

Hazardous driving conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday morning in Houston

Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:00 , Julia Musto
Hazardous driving conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday morning in Houston, Texas. Travel is discouraged (NWS Houston/X)

Hazardous driving conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday morning in Houston, Texas.

Deep snow and patches of ice were reported, as well as icing over bridges and overpasses.

Dangerous cold will continue to threaten Houston

Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:17 , Julia Musto
While the snow has stopped falling, snow, slush and ice left on the ground will refreeze with Extreme Cold tonight, the National Weather Service in Houston, Texas, said Tuesday. Low wind chill values will lead to hypothermia (NWS Houston/X)

While the snow has stopped falling in Houston, slush and ice on the ground is expected to refreeze overnight, forecasters cautioned.

An extreme cold warning and cold weather advisory are in place.

Alabama sees greatest snowfall since 1895

Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:08 , Julia Musto

Florida authorities advise residents: ‘Remember, many of us don’t have experience driving in these conditions'

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:34 , Julia Musto
This Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles image shows snow falling on covered roads. Authorities advised people to remember that many don’t have ‘experience driving in these conditions’ (FLHSMV/X)

Harris County Sheriff’s Office warns roads are ‘extremely dangerous'

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:28 , Julia Musto

Dozens of weather-related crashes are reported in Louisiana

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:26 , Julia Musto
Harahan police respond to a building security alarm during a rare snowstorm in Harahan, Louisiana, on Tuesday. Snow near New Orleans could pick back up later in the day (AP)

There have been about 50 weather-related crashes in Louisiana, a state patrol officer told The New York Times on Tuesday.

That number includes someone who ran into the back of a truck spreading salt.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein warns residents against travel

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:20 , Julia Musto
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein speaks at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, last August. The governor and emergency management officials warned residents to stay stay amid the winter storm and stay off roads (AFP via Getty Images)

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina urges that residents avoid travel on Tuesday evening and Wednesday.

“The roads are the most dangerous place to be in a winter storm like this,” he said.

Winter storm warnings and advisories remain in effect through Wednesday in Alabama

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:14 , Julia Musto

US sees more than 2,000 flight cancelations after winter storm wallops nation leaving 220 million feeling the chill

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:10 , Julia Musto

US sees more than 2,000 flight cancelations after winter storm wallops nation

Atlanta airport sees hundreds of flights affected by delays and cancellations as fliers report major lines

Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:07 , Julia Musto

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said Tuesday afternoon that, ahead of frozen precipitation, teams had pre-treated runways.

“ATL is using 36 pieces of equipment (trucks, plows, brushes, deicing spreaders) to keep the airfield operational,” the airport wrote on social media.

But, posts from fliers painted a more chaotic picture as snow reaches the ground in the region.

One screenshot from WSB-TV appeared to show runways coated in snow, and images showed long lines, stretching out the doors of the airport. One person reported arriving hours early and still missing their flight.

Hundreds of flights there were impacted by delays and cancellations, according to WSBTV.

Mobile forecasters see nearly 5.5 inches of snow

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:42 , Julia Musto
This photo provided by Kylee Thompson shows a truck driving on a snowy beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on Tuesday. Alabama saw more than 5 inches of snow in some places (AP)

San Antonio to see very cold evening, with lows in teens

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:38 , Julia Musto

Pensacola has seen 2 inches of snow already

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:30 , Julia Musto

After up to 8 inches in some areas, snowfall could pick back up in New Orleans, forecasters warn

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:27 , Julia Musto

Georgia officials report hypothermia death

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:20 , Julia Musto

Georgia has seen at least one death due to the winter weather, according to state officials.

A critical needs patient got outside Monday night and died of hypothermia, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Chris Stallings explained to reporters.

“Our critical patients are extremely important, our sensitive communities,” Stallings said. “If you have loved ones that are up in age, keep an eye on them.”

Jacksonville Airport will close after 8 p.m.

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:12 , Julia Musto

Photos show Florida’s palm trees, western coast coated with snowflakes

Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:00 , Julia Musto
Heavy snow falls onto the Florida Welcome Center on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. The city is on the state’s northwestern edge (AP)
Heavy snow falls onto palm trees at the Florida Welcome Center on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. The area is under a winter storm warning (AP)
Heavy snow falls onto the street on Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. Temperatures will start to rise there again by Thursday (AP)

At least two Houston-area deaths are connected with the storm

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:44 , Julia Musto

The deaths of at least two people were connected to this week’s winter storm, according to The Houston Chronicle.

A woman driving in Harris County died when her car left its lane and crashed head-on into an oncoming 18-wheeler, according to the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said a man who may have been homeless was found dead in a parking lot in the Katy area.

Neither individual was identified.

Houston may have just seen its most snow since 1960

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:38 , Julia Musto
A hotel worker shovels the icy snow from the sidewalk on Tuesday in Houston, Texas. Snow has stopped falling on the city (AP)

The National Weather Service estimates that between two and four inches fell on parts of Houston, according to reporting from The New York Times.

The totals appeared to be the most since 1960, when a storm brought three inches of snow. That’s the most ever officially recorded in the city.

NASA’s Johnson Space Center is covered in snow

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:36 , Julia Musto

New Orleans warming center at capacity

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:28 , Julia Musto
A man takes a photo of the Mississippi River during heavy snowfall by a docked riverboat on Tuesday in New Orleans, Louisiana. A rare winter storm brought heavy snow to the region and dangerous cold (Getty Images)

Warming centers open in Galveston County

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:17 , Julia Musto

Dozens of people were left stranded at Houston’s Bush Airport last night

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:15 , Julia Musto
Passengers spent a night at the closed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday in Houston, Texas. Dozens of people were stranded overnight (AP)

More than 100 passengers were left stranded at Houston’s Bush Airport on Monday night, according to Fox 26 Houston.

Flights there were suspended due to the wintry weather conditions.

New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana see most snow in 130 years

Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:08 , Julia Musto

This also marks the first snow in the city in 15 years.

At least two people are dead in Austin amid frigid weather

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:57 , Julia Musto

Austin-Travis County emergency officials have responded to more than a dozen cold exposure calls since Monday.

Those include two fatal incidents. The individuals were not immediately identified.

The Travis County Medical Examiner will investigate their causes of death.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tells residents to stay off the roads: ‘Floridians are, by nature, not prepared for driving in ice and snow'

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:53 , Julia Musto
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is seen in an overflow room in Emancipation Hall as he watches Donald Trump being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday in Washington, D.C. DeSantis urged residents to stay off the roads this week (Getty Images)

Tallahassee Airport cancels all flights after 3 p.m.

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:50 , Julia Musto

Houston Zoo leopards explore the snow

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:49 , Julia Musto

Houston school closures announced for Wednesday

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:49 , Julia Musto
People walk in Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday. A winter storm is impacting much of the region (AP)

Several Houston area school districts will be closed on Wednesday as winter weather continues in the region.

School closures were announced across the South.

NOAA satellites track winter storm across Deep South

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:38 , Julia Musto

Mapped: Impacts from Winter Storm Enzo stretch across the Gulf Coast and Southeast states

Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:36 , Julia Musto
A map shows wintry weather warnings and advisories across the Gulf Coast and into the Southeast on Tuesday. Impacts from the rare storm are expected through the week (NWS/X)

Houston fire and police engage in a snowball fight

Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:42 , Julia Musto
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