South of this line a mixture of rain, sleet and snow occurred with little impact at the time. By 6 p.m., metro Atlanta roadways were at a standstill and motorists who thought they would be home in a few hours were stuck on the interstates. The slick roads caused spinouts and wrecks across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Multiple locations were found. Questions? Warner Robins Graphical The snow fell. Satellite Images . Archived Info ATLANTA Some people called it Snowmageddon, others called it Snowpocalypse, thankfully very few people called it snOMG. When a light snow started falling early Tuesday afternoon, Saquana Bonaparte, 31, left her. Contact us 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. "So much of the freight industry is based on just-in-time arrangements," he said. Climate FAQs, Weather Safety The city's repeated, winter-storm transportation crises have impact beyond commuters and schoolchildren. Dozens, if not hundreds, of vehicles were left. Those kinds of good Samaritan moments happened seemingly everywhere. She ended up inching along in her car for almost 12 hours and survived on a half bag of beef jerky and a small bottle of Mountain Dew. Forecast Discussion Some commuters were stuck in their vehicles Wednesday morning, up to 18 hours after they first hit the roads. Current Hazards Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. Many clients believe that if another appraiser gives them a higher initial estimate, the settlement amount will be equally high. What were some of the most historic blizzards in Georgia? Reed noted that having everyone get on the roads at the same time was a mistake. Jammed-packed interstate in Downtown Atlanta, photo from AJC photographer John Spink. Traffic inched along the connector of Interstates 75 and 85 in Atlanta on Tuesday. Some surrounding cities, including Hiram, Woodstock, Sandy Springs and Acworth, opened emergency shelters for stranded motorists. Many schools and businesses closed in the late morning and early afternoon. Many abandoned their cars and just walked home. 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? Winter Snow Storm Helena is just about here. Get Prepared, Additional Info Visit our total loss page. The real problem, he said, was a vast and unexpected flow of people who took to the roads at nearly the same time. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Local With the upcoming snow predicted, we decided to take a look back at the mess across metro Atlanta. Sometimes youll find real beauty in a fresh snowfall, the silence of a blizzard, or the delicate touch of a snowflake on your face. If damage is found, you may be entitled to Diminished Value. 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. And the babys name? Leave a comment on ourFOX 5 Atlanta Facebook page, tweet us at @FOX5StormTeam, or tag us on Instagramat @FOX5Atlanta. This time last year we were preparing for snowmageddon in Atlanta. See how many of these horrific winter storms in Georgia you can remember for yourself. Auburn, led by Cam Newton, beat the Oregon Ducks for the 2011 BCS Championship. By keeping schools and government offices open, and by not requiring tractor-trailers to use chains or stay out of the citys core, metropolitan Atlanta gambled and lost. When Was Snowmageddon Atlanta? January 06, 2014 at 12:15 pm EST ATLANTA Some people called it Snowmageddon, others called it Snowpocalypse, thankfully very few people called it snOMG. So, here you are, 3 years to the dot and it happens again, Atlanta is brought to its knees with traffic lines lasting on average 5 hours. The problem with towing companies especially when in a rush is the fact that they dont strap vehicles well or attach their hook to the engine cradle or cross-member causing incidental damage to the structure of the vehicle. The next storm was supposed to be different. 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. Snow started falling on Atlanta on Tuesday and commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" played a clip of Georgia governor Nathan Deal saying the scope of the snowstorm could not have been predicted, then a clip of a Weather Channel meteorologist predicting it, while pointing out The Weather Channel is itself located in Atlanta. Its sad for Americas 9th largest metro area to fall into chaos over 2.5 inches of fluffy snow. This article was published more than9 years ago. 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. Channel 2 Action News is taking a look at the biggest events in Georgia history as WSB-TV celebrates its 75th anniversary. We made a mistake by not staggering when people should leave, so Ill take responsibility for that, he said. Some people had to. Anyone can read what you share. There wasnt that much snow, but a perfect storm of events led to one of the biggest messes in Georgias history. Thousands of flights were canceled because of the winter weather. There are a handful of storms that have gone down in Georgias history as some of the worst of the worst. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Atlanta mayor and Georgia governor face scrutiny over response to storm, Past winter storms caused similar problems in Atlanta. On Jan. 28, 2014, two inches and change of snow brought the city. He said there should be a staggered schedule of releases: Students leave first, then private business employees and finally government workers. Many people were unable to even get on the roads to get to the airport. What year was the big ice storm in Georgia? Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency, No one could travel out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Checks from Georgias $1 BILLION tax rebate are starting to hit bank accounts, No. ", Reed defended his handling of the situation, arguing, "We got 1 million people out of the city of Atlanta in about 12 hours." 2023 FOX Television Stations, Atlanta man discovers way for drivers to legally escape parking lot boots without paying fine, Marine veteran in his 80s held at gunpoint during home invasion: 'I wasn't afraid of him', Atlanta studio already feeling pain from possible Hollywood writers' strike, Legendary folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84, Morehouse offers to open primary care facility on Atlanta's southside to fill gap from Wellstar closures, Metro Atlanta city named one of the 'Best Places to Live' in United States: report, Fulton County Jail inmate somehow got to enjoy steak dinner in their jail cell, Police investigating threats to Forsyth County high school, student in custody, Beloved Forsyth County school custodian named finalist for national 'Custodian of the Year', Mayor 'acted like a fool' during drunken episodes while criminal case still unresolved. Over three days, from Jan. 12-14, 1982, 4 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain fell in Atlanta, quickly paralyzing the city. Winter Storm Leon, which left about two inches of snow covering the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, hit Atlanta particularly hard. Snowmageddon, 2014. It makes you very emotional after a while, she said. You know, that time when commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. The snow and ice on the roadways made many areas simply impassable. Some bus trips were delayed for hours. Whatever you called the snow storm. The merit of those in the South showed themselves over and over again. Regional Loop, Climate One of the biggest stories to impact Georgians in recent years was Snowmageddon, which happened nearly nine years ago this month. This might simply be Atlanta's fate in winter storms: The city was also brought to a standstill in a winter storm in 1993. Others had abandoned their cars in or beside the road. Whatever you called the snow storm of January 2011, you no doubt remember being stuck at home from Sunday night until mid-week. It's about to begin! Many Atlanta residents described the aftermath as the opening scene from The Walking Dead. While ice storms arent too rare in Georgia, this one was one of the most catastrophic. Late Tuesday, the National Weather Service said 2.3 inches was. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Hundreds of students spent the night at school. Weve had events where we have had more snowfall than in 2014 and because GDOT and some of the other agencies supporting them have gone out and pre-treated the roads and done the leg work beforehand, it has kept lanes opened when its below freezing, state meteorologist Will Lanxton said. National Weather Service She had to turn off her car when it began to overheat. The GA DOT has identified 6 towing companies responsible of moving vehicles from roadways they are: Towing companies are cashing in on this tragedy and charging motorists up to $200 for towing or moving their vehicles. People stuck at home got really creative. The storm only produced about two to three inches of snow. 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. The interstates were like ice skating rinks, and thousands of people were stranded on the side of the road. ATLANTA There are bad commutes, and then there is what happened here this week. Maps Tell us your stories in the comments! Would you rather collect 80% of an accurate appraisal or 20% of an inflated one? Everyone knew it was going to snow and there could be ice - leading to long lines at the supermarket. We've had a number of winter weather events, but city officials have been well-prepared each time. 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. 6 on Clayton County sheriffs top 10 most wanted list arrested while picking kids up, Bride killed, husband seriously hurt in crash leaving wedding reception, Criminals are using this common security feature to access your bank accounts. Here is our video story about how some stranded drivers had to sleep in their cars because of the ice. A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. It was very difficult to find bread and milk or an open restaurant. 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. "We do take responsibility for having the business community, the government and the schools leave all at once," he said. National ATLANTA Remember Snowmageddon, aka Snowpocalypse, in 2014? Traffic jammed at the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Roswell Road. Fortunately a "dry slot" wrapped around the south end east side of the upper level low pressure area. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency before the first flakes fell on Sunday night. Drivers take refuge inside a local store as roads become too slick to drive on. I didnt see any kind of emergency help all night, she said. A night removed from The State of the Union, . There were other bright spots. And we found heroes were among all of us. Obviously, if you had an accident, your repair will qualify you for Diminished Value as well. Gov. Copyright 2020 WBRC. The Georgia Department of Transportation purchased equipment and even sent people to cold-weather cities to see how they handle snowstorms. 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. The forecast path of the storm changed. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. The snowstorm and its aftermath paralyzed metro Atlanta for days. Deal issued a state of emergency declaration after 5 p.m. Tuesday, well after governors in other Southern states had done so. Ice was a major problem on the roads for several days. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Mike Luckovich, depicted Deal and Reed responding to the snowfall by making snow angels. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. State and local officials expected the brunt of the storm to hit south and east of Atlanta; when it started snowing in communities in west and north Atlanta, schools, businesses and government offices started closing. In late January 2014, just under three inches of snowand, more specifically, the ice that followedcrippled metro Atlanta, shutting down the region's economy and forcing people to sleep in. Once frozen over, the metros interstates turned into parking lots. Almost eight years ago now, January 2014 gave us Snowmageddon. Some of the most historic blizzards in Georgia go down in the books as truly remarkable and wholly unforgettable. We didnt have any other choice. Many motorists left their vehicles on the side of the road as they ran out of gas or simply couldnt bare the frustration, towing companies were towing vehicles non-stop to their yards. Live trucks don't always work very well in the cold. Please select one of the following: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. WSB-TV marks 75th anniversary with yearlong celebration, Atlanta remembers 26 years since Olympic Park bombing, 12 things we remember about Snowmageddon 2011, Channel 2s Monica Pearson and Justin Farmer talk about witnessing Obama inauguration, Channel 2s Jovita Moore passes away after battle with brain cancer. In the aftermath, this headline led the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: How did this happen?. Thankfully, blizzards in Georgia are rare. Not to mention the mess on I-285 where dozens of tractor trailers remained for several days. WRONG! Deal is there to congratulate him. In South Carolina, more than 800 accidents were reported by the State Police in a 12-hour period. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed face withering scrutiny over their handling of the weather emergency. NWS The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. Please Contact Us. Students slept in school gyms. It was brought standstill "Snow Jam 1982," a storm that hit in January of that year, and during a winter storm in 1993. But the spirit of Atlanta and the South combined on social media to form a group where neighbors began to help neighbors. A paralyzing January storm blew through the metro Atlanta area in 2014, catching many residents -- and officials -- off guard. I was talking to a friend of mine who lives in Boston, he was laughing at our situation. I relied on friends and family to keep me going. 600 total flights in two days. We saw a half foot or more of snow accumulate. Others ran out of gas. The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. Many area stores opened their doors to take in stranded drivers. Authorities told us that they responded to more than 200 accidents this afternoon, Channel 2s Justin Farmer reported throughout our coverage of the storm. Incident Support 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. But you could certainly ice skate down Peachtree Street. Snow and ice on roads near Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. No one could travel out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the delays caused a ripple effect. This dry slot was larger and further north than most computer forecasts were indicating previously. Atlanta is such an important hub when it comes to goods movement.". Activity Planner 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. By August 15, 2022. Aviation Weather January 31, 2014. And in Birmingham, Darshay Jones, 24, went into labor early Wednesday. Tuesday's snowfall and the hundreds of thousands of motorists who flooded the metropolitan area's roadways as the storm moved in created travel nightmares for commuters, truckers, students and their families. What Atlanta's snowmageddon teaches us about . Computer Models When Auburn kicks off against Florida State metro Atlanta temperatures will be in the teens. Which Georgia ice storm was the worst? The precipitation continued through day and into the overnight. "And if I'm responsible for it, I'll accept that. Put Byron on the line, the dispatcher told her, because the ambulance is not coming, and he is about to deliver a baby., I almost passed out when I heard that, Mr. Dobbins said. She spent 22 hours in her Ford Focus, too scared to step out of the car and too nervous to sleep for fear that traffic would start moving at any moment. 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. November 13 - 21, 2014 North American winter storm January 2016 United States blizzard (Snowzilla [11]) Winter of 2009-2010 in the United Kingdom Winter of 2010-2011 in the United Kingdom January 17, 2020 in St. John's, Canada blizzard (Snowmageddon) [12] [13] February 13-17, 2021 North American winter storm See also Atlanta hasn't even thawed out yet but the blame game has already started. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/615/img/photos/2012/02/22/71/bf/26422139.jpg, http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/615/img/photos/2012/02/22/7b/74/26432047.jpg. Submit Storm Report Ben Gray/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Associated Press. Matthew Miller offered free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hot drinks to drivers stuck in traffic on Atlanta's Southbound Connector on Wednesday. Share with us your thoughts in the comments section! Appraisal Engine Inc. All rights reserved, we are car appraisers and NOT a law firm or a substitute for an attorney, a law firm or a CPA. 1. . 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. Winter weather can be a tricky thing. Education and Outreach Weather Radio Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), Checks from Georgias $1 BILLION tax rebate are starting to hit bank accounts, No. Here are 12 things we remember about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iudRPyX4934. Ginger Reid, 44, waited for eight hours to see her son, Ross, 11, who was stuck on a bus. Local ATLANTA Remember Snowmageddon, aka Snowpocalypse, in 2014? The storm also had a major impact on schools and children. . "Unlike the last event, when we had four pieces of equipment in Atlanta, this time, we had 70 pieces of equipment, and we knew how to use it.". But then I got my composure. A snowfall that began after midnight brought the entire city to a standstill, with cars trapped on the interstate and ice blanketing the streets. Past Weather Events Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt. Atlanta had been here before. In the days leading up to the storm, forecasters said the brunt of it would hit south of the city. 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. Reporting from you from the hub of Atlanta Georgia, our goal is to bring you the earliest a. He had only a quarter of a cookie someone shared with him to eat. Since 2014, there have been major changes on the state level, including the creation of a state meteorologist position to monitor our forecast and coordinate with state agencies. 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. Reed and Deal have said repeatedly that everybody left for home at the same time instead of spreading it out over the normal 4 to 7 p.m. evening rush hour deluging the roads. Ice and snow coated Charleston, S.C., Augusta, Ga., New Orleans and dozens of other Southern communities ill-equipped to deal with it. He said the city's response was better than after "Snowmageddon 2011," the winter storm that paralyzed the Atlanta metro that year. A snowfall that began after midnight brought the entire city to a standstill, with cars trapped on the interstate and ice blanketing the streets. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Local, Forecasts Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. Hire an appraiser based on their credentials and reputation. Insurance companies know who the legitimate appraisers are, so don't get caught up in the estimate game. One of the lessons learned, he says, is that resources should be staged ahead of time in places that could be impacted by such an event. 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. Also, there is more pre-treatment of the states roads. The storm only produced about two to three inches of snow. 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. 6 on Clayton County sheriffs top 10 most wanted list arrested while picking kids up, Bride killed, husband seriously hurt in crash leaving wedding reception, Criminals are using this common security feature to access your bank accounts. Had it developed as expected further south, the impact of freezing rain and snow would have been much, more worse. "When you get two snowstorms every three years, it's easier to take that approach," he says. This dry slot caused precipitation to break up across much of the area late Wednesday morning through the afternoon. He said the city has spent $2.5 million since then on equipment. Gridlock Guy: Snowmageddon memories in Atlanta crystal-clear 7 years later January 28, 2014: a day that will live in Atlanta infamy. And on Wednesday, Mayor Kasim Reed and Gov. Crews worked hundreds of crashes over the course several days.