Historic Snowstorm Brings Chaos to US South With Record-Breaking Cold and Snowfall (Insurance Journal)

Historic Snowstorm Brings Chaos to US South With Record-Breaking Cold and Snowfall

Friday, January 24th, 2025 Catastrophe Property Risk Management Technology

The US South is grappling with its most severe snowstorm in over 130 years, leaving cities from Florida to Texas reeling from unprecedented snowfall and freezing temperatures. New Orleans saw up to 10 inches of snow, shattering its previous record of 2.7 inches from 1963. Similar scenes unfolded in Pensacola, Florida, and Houston, Texas, where snowfall and icy roads paralyzed transportation and disrupted daily life. Southern airports, ill-equipped for such conditions, reported over 1,800 flight cancellations, while schools and businesses across the region shuttered.

The storm caused widespread hazards, including frozen and burst water pipes in Houston and icy roads that turned Atlanta’s hilly streets into crash sites. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact, Florida’s limited snow removal resources proved inadequate for the conditions. Meanwhile, Louisiana and Florida saw key highways, such as Interstate 10, closed, further isolating communities.

Meteorologists described the event as "once in a generation," with Frank Pereira of the US Weather Prediction Center likening it to the blizzard of 1895. While the South remains unprepared for such weather extremes, the deep freeze is expected to thaw over the weekend as temperatures climb back into the 60s.


External References & Further Reading
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2025/01/23/809285.htm
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