Rare Southern Storm Leaves 10 Dead
However, freezing temperatures are expected to continue to hamper the area for days to come.
The snowstorm, a relatively rare occurrence in the usually sunny south, stretched from Louisiana to Virginia, dumped from 4 to 7 inches of snow on the region, along with sleet and ice, the Associated Press said.
By the time it ends on Friday, it was expected that nearly a foot of snow will have accumulated in parts of Georgia and a like amount was forecast in North Carolina and Virginia as the storm moved up the East Coast.
The storm stranded drivers of cars and trucks alike in many areas and disrupted operations at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, news services said.
Fox News reported that a truck stop in Alabama was full of rigs headed for Atlanta that could not continue because of the icy conditions.
In South Carolina, AP said, a state of emergency was declared and National Guard members were activated to assist stranded motorists. More than 2,400 accidents were reported in the Carolinas.
Police in Louisiana closed parts of interstates 10 and 55 because of accidents, Fox News reported, while Hartsfield Airport, the world’s busiest, opened 12 special de-icing pads for planes.
Delta Air Lines, which is based in Atlanta, said it canceled had canceled a large number of flights since Wednesday. On Thursday morning, only 20 flights arrived and departed in Atlanta, instead of the usual 180.
"The snowstorm hit our major hub at Atlanta earlier than expected, was heavier than expected and lasted longer than expected," said Tom Slocum, a Delta spokesman. "As a result, the airport became congested as flights waited to be de-iced prior to departure."
The cancellation of flights had the secondary effect of idling the truckers who normally deliver cargo flown in the bellies of passenger planes.
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