A historic winter storm has claimed at least nine lives across the southern United States. The National Weather Service described it as a "generational winter storm event," with record-breaking snowfall paralyzing Gulf Coast regions unaccustomed to the conditions.
New Orleans shattered its snowfall record with eight inches reported at the Louis Armstrong International Airport, far surpassing the previous 1963 record of 2.7 inches. Molino, Florida, recorded 5.5 inches, breaking the state's record, while Mobile, Alabama, saw over five inches, eclipsing a 143-year-old benchmark, as reported by CNN.
Authorities reported multiple fatalities, including five deaths from an icy crash in Zavala County, Texas, and hypothermia-related deaths in Milwaukee and Georgia. Two additional deaths in Austin are being investigated as weather-related.
"Most of us haven't experienced this combination of bitter cold and significant snow ever in our lifetime," Louisiana climatologist Jay Grymes said during a Monday news conference.
The storm has halted travel. Over 2,300 flights were canceled Tuesday as major airports in Houston, New Orleans and Mobile closed due to icy runways. Interstate 10, a major Gulf Coast highway, was impassable in many areas, while schools and government offices across the South remain closed.
Officials have urged residents to stay indoors as freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions persist. Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Florida declared states of emergency as snow is expected to keep roads treacherous for days.
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