When a light snow started falling early Tuesday afternoon, Saquana Bonaparte, 31, left her factory job and headed out to get her daughter from school in one of the citys northern suburbs. National But some folks still were able to have a little fun. Her boyfriend, Byron Dobbins, called 911. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Leigh Walker, a teacher, had breakfast Wednesday with students who spent the night at Oak Mountain Intermediate school in Indian Springs, Ala. About 80 children and 20 adults spent the night at the school due to a winter storm. Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro. Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro Atlantans who lived through it. Example: Picture of vehicle before accident or anything else. Channel 2's Richard Elliot caught one car spinning out on Ga. 400 live on TV. Nathan Deal said about the storm. By August 15, 2022. Cars werent starting, which caused many people to be stuck at home in miserable and life-threatening conditions. Jon Stewart Made All The Easy Southern Jokes While Eviscerating Atlanta's Snowmageddon Last Night. The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. When is the last time it snowed in Atlanta | Atlanta snow history Your access to the website is subject to our, Atlanta Snowmageddon 2014 Car Accidents and Appraisals, How Subaru Became a Leader in Subcompact SUVs, Auto Market Update Week Ending Apr 22, 2023, Auto Incentives and Rebates Week Ending Apr 29, 2023, The Updated List of EV Models Eligible for Tax Credits in the US, 2021 Honda Pilot Loss in Value Case Study, Tesla Sales Growth Slows Despite Price Cuts, Poor coordination between the multiple jurisdictions covering the Atlanta Metro Area, The school systems decided to have a school day, Poor preparation from the Georgia Department of Transportation, Poor preparation from the various cities and municipalities, Lack of resources and competent personnel, People were let go from their jobs all at the same time. Reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House, The Souths disastrous response to the winter storm, in pictures, Why Gov. He said the city's response was better than after "Snowmageddon 2011," the winter storm that paralyzed the Atlanta metro that year. Winter weather can be a tricky thing. Jerome Golden, 50, had flown to Atlanta from Los Angeles on a business trip and was driving to a hotel when he got stuck in the traffic jam. Jammed-packed interstate in Downtown Atlanta, photo from AJC photographer John Spink. The problems began as the roads became clogged with drivers as the winter weather moved in. After waiting another 10 minutes or so I crack my window open and attempt to talk to the office who was not in a good mood (understandably), he ignores me for a few minutes but then angrily approaches and informs me that they ran out of salt. Lessons learned from Snowmageddon 2014 And on Wednesday, Mayor Kasim Reed and Gov. Aviation Weather Drivers and some employees took shelter in this Publix grocery store on West Paces Ferry Road. When the week ended, we had received about 11,000 pictures from viewers. There was a lot of lesson-learned soul-searching after Snowmageddon 2011. Traffic inched along the connector of Interstates 75 and 85 in Atlanta on Tuesday. See how many of these horrific winter storms in Georgia you can remember for yourself. Past Weather Events Whatever you called the snow storm. About 1,500 passengers who could not get flights out spent the night at the airport, said Hartsfield-Jackson spokesman Reese McCranie. Gov. Ms. Bonaparte spent the night on jammed roads with tens of thousands of other desperate Atlanta-area drivers who had never seen anything like the sheet of ice that coated the city. When Auburn kicks off against Florida State metro Atlanta temperatures will be in the teens. However, Atlanta's most impactful storm in recent years has to be what local residents have deemed Snowmaggedon, a 2014 storm that dropped around 2 inches of snow in the city. However, the blizzard most commonly referred to as the worst blizzard in Georgia history was the incredible storm of 1993, dropping 20 inches of snow and killing at least 300. I was like if I dont get home to my parents, like, Im going to freak out, one student said. Even James Spann, Alabamas best-known television meteorologist, known for his accuracy in predicting the path of tornadoes and other severe weather, called his forecast for Tuesday a bust. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iudRPyX4934. The snow fell. This dry slot was larger and further north than most computer forecasts were indicating previously. Everyone knew it was going to snow and there could be ice - leading to long lines at the supermarket. He was awakened by a gentle knock on his window. It was very difficult to find bread and milk or an open restaurant. Here's what we remember best about the storm: Glenn Burns nailed the forecast. Snowmageddon, 2014. Workers slept in the aisles at CVS. Please fill out the form below to receive a FREE Diminished Value estimate. Which of the following information do you have? Or if you want to take a deeper dive into the largest blizzard in Georgia history, feel free to do so. Although the. In Birmingham, Ala., more than 1,500 students spent Tuesday night at school, and more were expected to be stuck at school on Wednesday night, too. It was like something you would see if they told you the plague broke out and you had to run for your life, she said. When winter storms approach, schools, businesses and government offices shut down in advance a method that Tim Lomax of the Texas Transportation Institute says usually works in Southern cities. Tuesday's snowfall brought just 2.6 inches of snow to Atlanta, but it was a one-day record and enough to hamstring the region, creating nightmares for commuters, truckers, students and their. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration In the days leading up to the storm, forecasters said the brunt of it would hit south of the city. Road conditions quickly deteriorated due to a mix of icyconditions and people heading home early. A snowfall that began after midnight brought the entire city to a standstill, with cars trapped on the interstate and ice blanketing the streets. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. This is the metal plate above your rear bumper. It was brought standstill "Snow Jam 1982," a storm that hit in January of that year, and during a winter storm in 1993. Josh Tanner, an emergency management specialist at the Gadsden-Etowah County EMA, says that usually happens more often up north. This exact situation must have occurred in the Atlanta Metro 100 more times, I was lucky and was able to cross the bridge an hour after it was shut down, others were not as lucky. In all, six Southern states declared emergencies. The city's repeated, winter-storm transportation crises have impact beyond commuters and schoolchildren. Multiple locations were found. The roads are full of ice, one driver told us at the time. You know, that time when commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. But the spirit of Atlanta and the South combined on social media to form a group where neighbors began to help neighbors. The winter storm caused major impacts and severe travel issues in the states of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi as many people were caught outside unexpectedly in the hazardous conditions, which included snow, freezing rain and sleet. I was talking to a friend of mine who lives in Boston, he was laughing at our situation. User's Guide, About Us The total snowfall was only 2-3 inches ATLANTA The winter storm paralyzing one of the nation's largest cities three years after another winter storm shut down the city in much the same way . Copyright 2020 WBRC. Atlanta and snowfall: A rocky history, to say the least Submit Storm Report Channel 2 Action News is taking a look at the biggest events in Georgia history as WSB-TV celebrates its 75th anniversary. Record low temperatures and wind chills has us thinking about the week that Atlantans stayed home, watched TV and waited for the ice to melt. Please visit our do I qualify page to learn more. We made a mistake by not staggering when people should leave, so Ill take responsibility for that, he said. But you could certainly ice skate down Peachtree Street. A snowfall that began after midnight brought the entire city to a standstill, with cars trapped on the interstate and ice blanketing the streets. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Another thing we learned, according to Tanner, was to have points of contact available, as well as contacts for the second person and third person in charge, three deep as he says. Children stuck on a school bus many hours after they were supposed to be home safe. There was a ground stop at the airport during part of the day Tuesday, and Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights. Tanner suggested Stewart and some of the other comedians come to Gadsden to see how they prepare for tornado weather, which is more common in the South than the ice accretion event that set off the Snowpocalypse.. Forecast Discussion The rare Southern winter storm stretched to Brownsville, Texas. Just having that data available in real-time in an event has truly been a game changer., Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023. Activity Planner Some drivers slept in their cars. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Many of the citizen rescue operations were coordinated on a Facebook page called Snowed Out Atlanta, started by Michelle Sollicito, a Marietta woman who was trying to find a way to help people whose friends and family members were stranded. Gridlock Guy: Snowmageddon memories in Atlanta crystal-clear 7 years later January 28, 2014: a day that will live in Atlanta infamy. On the heels of a significant winter storm 2 weeks earlier, a more powerful storm brought heavy snow and record level of ice to north and central Georgia on February 11-13, 2014. In the aftermath, this headline led the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: How did this happen?. Atlanta 1982: 40 years ago, Snow Jam '82 brought Atlanta to a - ajc And the babys name? Tuesday morning, when fairly heavy snow started falling north of the city, people started hitting the roads. Celebrating 75: A look back at 'Snowmageddon' and the changes it brought The precipitation continued through day and into the overnight. The alarm was sounded too late. Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. Peachtree City, GA4 Falcon DrivePeachtree City, GA 30269770.486.1133Comments? Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro Atlantans who lived through it. Gov. Jan. 29, 2014 ATLANTA There are bad commutes, and then there is what happened here this week. Current Hazards Yearly Climate Graphs Nathan Deal were by turns defensive and apologetic. Thousands of flights were canceled because of the winter weather. I knew it was time to get down and dirty.. Atlanta Snowmageddon 2014 is six years old today | 11alive.com The slick roads caused spinouts and wrecks across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. On Jan. 28, 2014, two inches and change of snow brought the city. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Because Atlanta is such a vital air transportation hub, the storm walloped operations at the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Remembering 'Snowmageddon' 2014: 2 years later Even Al Roker is chiming in on the mess, heavily criticizing Atlanta's mayor and Georgia's governor for the second winter storm to cripple the city in just 3 years. Maps It is an image that would be seen over and over again. 2023 Cox Media Group. WRONG! You might be interested in the seven natural wonders of Georgia, then! We can never promise that we will always be correct when it comes to deciding what Mother Nature will do.. Do you remember any of these horrific winter storms in Georgia? Snowmageddon in Atlanta 2011 - Howard Brothers Fire Weather This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Unable to get to a bathroom, she did what she had to do as she drove. ATLANTA There are bad commutes, and then there is what happened here this week. We saw a half foot or more of snow accumulate. Within a very short window of time, many more motorists got on the roadways and during that same timeframe is when the amount of snow continued to come, then-Gov. Sometimes youll find real beauty in a fresh snowfall, the silence of a blizzard, or the delicate touch of a snowflake on your face. He eased the car off the road and slept in a parking lot, trading thumbs up signs with the woman in the next car. Ginger Reid, 44, waited for eight hours to see her son, Ross, 11, who was stuck on a bus. The South's disastrous response to the winter storm, in pictures Temperatures plummeted, causing pipes to burst, homes to flood, and transformers to break. It was not, and there were a number of contributing factors: Metro Atlanta was caught flatfooted. We crippled transportation across the country. Some of the most historic blizzards in Georgia go down in the books as truly remarkable and wholly unforgettable. Research Dalton, Ga., Mayor David Pennington, who's running against Deal for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, said, "Government's primary role is to protect the people; Nathan Deal has failed miserably once again. Local Storm Reports Atlanta Officials Gamble on Storm and Lose, and Others Pay the Price NewsChopper 2 got a bird's-eye view of the frozen carnage on Georgia's interstates, showing hundreds of abandoned cars. 1. Ben Gray/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Associated Press. Satellite Images Local These two back-to-back ice storms in 2014 led to more than seven days of emergency declarations, and effectively kept people in their homes. Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Associated Press. But then I got my composure. 2023 Cox Media Group. Even beaches were coated with snow and ice. Regional Loop, Climate The city was more prepared than it had ever been, he said. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency before the first flakes fell on Sunday night. There are a handful of storms that have gone down in Georgias history as some of the worst of the worst. Usually, the snow melts after a day or two along with the resolve to prevent a recurrence. The "Snowpocalypse" got attention nationally, with late night comedians even getting in on the act. If damage is found, you may be entitled to Diminished Value. Not to mention the mess on I-285 where dozens of tractor trailers remained for several days. They can be proactive on that, Lanxton said. Outlooks http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2012/02/22/dc/8a/26431898.jpg, http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2012/02/22/33/9e/26429570.jpg. The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. On some highways, motorists were stranded overnight. Can Atlanta survive another snowpocalypse? - Atlanta Magazine ATLANTA It's one of the most infamous weather events in Atlanta history, and it turns six years old today: Snowmageddon. Rainfall We've had a number of winter weather events, but city officials have been well-prepared each time. People stuck at home got really creative. Some bus trips were delayed for hours. A lot of us watched the game, because we couldn't leave the house. Thirty minutes go by and the Alpharetta fire department shows up and clears the road fairly quickly, but I still couldnt cross as they have not yet cleared the bridge from ice. Such a declaration usually triggers school dismissals and business closings. ATLANTA The winter storm paralyzing one of the nation's largest cities three years after another winter storm shut down the city in much the same way raises the question: Is Atlanta simply destined to quit functioning every time it gets a few inches of snow? Whatever you called the snow storm of January 2011, you no doubt remember being stuck at home from Sunday night until mid-week. There wasnt that much snow, but a perfect storm of events led to one of the biggest messes in Georgias history. 7 Gorgeous Frozen Waterfalls In Georgia That Must Be Seen To Be Believed, Here Are The 5 Best Places To Go Sled Riding In Georgia This Winter, The Charming Small Town In Georgia Where You Can Still Experience An Old-Fashioned Christmas, This Trail In Georgia Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins, The Magnificent Farmhouse Rental In Georgia That Gets Decked Out For The Holidays, The Giant Ice Skating Rink In Georgia Avalon On Ice, Is A Winter Dream Come True, This Georgia Christmas Town Is Straight Out Of A Norman Rockwell Painting, Not Everyone Knows The State Botanical Garden Of Georgia Puts On A Dazzling Holiday Light Display. This, In January 1982, a disastrous winter storm unleashed several inches of, Back in 1973, Georgia was pummeled with ice, snow, sleet, and rain, causing hundreds of thousands of people in the South to lose power. [SIGN UP:Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox]. Temperatures had been in the 60s just two days earlier, then the temperatures suddenly dropped and two inches fell in a short period of time when a light dusting had been predicted for later in the day. Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. ", Reed defended his handling of the situation, arguing, "We got 1 million people out of the city of Atlanta in about 12 hours." Incident Support All rights reserved. 12 things we remember about Snowmageddon 2011 - WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta In January 2011, Atlanta was hit with a massive snow storm, the whole city was offline for about 5 days. National Weather Service Another big change, the state installed a network of road sensors across Georgia providing a precise measurement closely monitored by Severe Weather Team 2, the state, and GDOT. We saw some very strange photos, some that we can't even show you. Does the vehicle have unrelated body damage? "And if I'm responsible for it, I'll accept that. Weather Radio But throughout the late afternoon and evening, the snow became slush -- and then sheets of ice. Rivers/Lakes, Radar Imagery Atlanta's ability to handle winter storms questioned Laura Gargis was four months pregnant and terrified when she became trapped on the interstate in the infamous 2014 winter storm known around metro Atlanta as "Snowmageddon." Visit our total loss page. Winter in Georgia tends to be mild, with an average of just two to three inches of snow on the snowiest of days. The worst Georgia ice storm on record is likely subjective; after all, everyone experiences things differently. "When you get two snowstorms every three years, it's easier to take that approach," he says. Snowmageddon in Atlanta 2011. If youre one of the unfortunate drivers whos cars were totaled, remember, you dont have to accept the insurance companys valuation, always hire your own appraiser if you suspect that their offer is too low. What Year Was The Ice Storm In Georgia? - PartyShopMaine When a light snow started falling early Tuesday afternoon, Saquana Bonaparte, 31, left her. A night removed from The State of the Union, . StormReady Snowmageddon Atlanta 2014 The Atlanta disaster was mainly a traffic issue. Georgia officials under fire for actions before, during, after snow What is known as an ice accretion process brought a perfect storm of conditions that led to a sudden snowfall. And we found heroes were among all of us. US Dept of Commerce Despite its usually mild winters, there have been a few notable blizzards in Georgia including: 2. Those kinds of good Samaritan moments happened seemingly everywhere. Here is our video story about how some stranded drivers had to sleep in their cars because of the ice. As thousands of Atlanta residents jump in their cars and start going nowhere, Mayor Reed accepts the 2014 Georgian Of The Year award from GeorgiaTrend Magazine. We would have shut a major city down for a day, he said. This time around, all of the other factors were exacerbated by people driving too fast for conditions. Many abandoned their cars and just walked home. The storm only produced about two to three inches of snow. The sea of vehicles on the roadway showed signs of clearing by Jan. 30. Had it developed as expected further south, the impact of freezing rain and snow would have been much, more worse. Robert Puentes, a transportation expert at the Brookings Institution, says the region's paralyzed road transportation network hammers the shipment of goods through Atlanta.