A rare snowstorm that swept through the southern United States caused a massive 15-hour traffic jam on a Georgia highway, trapping thousands of drivers in their vehicles.
The traffic snarl occurred just before noon on January 22, as temperatures plunged from 29°F to 14°F.
The situation unfolded in Monroe County, located around 60 miles southwest of Atlanta, and the congestion lasted until the Georgia State Patrol finally cleared the northbound lanes of Interstate-75.
Accidents and Icy Roads Cause Major Delays
According to local reports, the chaos began when icy roads and multiple accidents north of Forsyth triggered the backup.
A spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Anna Watkins, mentioned that the Georgia Department of Transportation had already applied deicing chemicals to the road before the storm hit.
However, the heavy snowfall caught many off guard, with nearly an inch of snow blanketing much of Atlanta, while other areas experienced even deeper accumulations.
Stranded Drivers Share Their Frustrations
Among the stranded drivers was Emma Worley, who had been stuck just north of the Georgia Highway 42 exit while driving home to Cherokee County from Savannah.
By 11 a.m. the next day, she had hardly moved an inch.
“I haven’t slept,” she said, describing the situation as “the worst I’ve ever experienced.”
Other drivers, like James Talabert and his girlfriend, were stuck on an even longer journey from Miami to Minnesota, with no food and only water to last them through the ordeal.
Record-Breaking Snowstorm Hits the South
The snowfall from this once-in-a-lifetime storm was particularly heavy, with areas like Forsyth receiving 2.2 inches of snow, and other regions seeing much more.
Cordele in Crisp County saw nine inches of slush, while Camilla in Mitchell County experienced eight inches.
The storm wreaked havoc on transportation across the southern U.S., including the cancellation of nearly 2,000 flights and the closure of major airports.
Safety Warnings for Icy Conditions
As temperatures began to rise and the snow melted, Georgia’s Emergency Management Agency warned residents about potential dangers as the day progressed.
“Black ice is possible once the sun goes down, and any remaining snow or ice could refreeze,” the agency posted on X, urging people to stay off the roads after dark.
By Wednesday afternoon, traffic on both sides of I-75 had returned to normal, but the damage from the storm was already done.
A Historic Storm with Devastating Impact
This week’s snowstorm, which spanned roughly 1,500 miles and affected states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, was one for the history books.
It caused at least 10 deaths and left parts of the South covered in snow that hadn’t been seen in over a century.
In New Orleans, residents even took to the frozen streets to play ice hockey or create makeshift ski courses, making the most of the bizarre weather.
The storm also severely impacted air travel, with thousands of flights either canceled or delayed, causing widespread disruption.
As the storm continued to make its way through the region, authorities were left to deal with the aftermath and brace for more challenges ahead.
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