The Gulf Coast is still reeling from a rare and historic snowstorm that swept through states from Texas to Florida, shutting down airports, freezing roads, and bringing dangerously cold temperatures.
So far, at least 11 lives have been lost due to the storm and its icy aftermath. Tragic incidents included a house fire in Alabama where a stove left on for warmth caused one death, a car crash in the same state that claimed another life, and multiple fatalities in Texas and Georgia due to hypothermia.
In Texas, icy roads caused a devastating crash near San Antonio, killing five people when a tractor-trailer collided with several vehicles. In South Carolina, a 71-year-old man died while shoveling snow, underscoring the storm’s far-reaching impact.
The snowstorm shattered records across the region, leaving many areas blanketed in more snow than they’ve seen in over a century. Florida experienced its highest-ever snowfall, with 9.8 inches falling in Milton, near Pensacola, which itself set a record with 8.9 inches. Beaumont, Texas, recorded 5.2 inches of snow—another all-time high. Louisiana wasn’t spared either, as Baton Rouge saw 7.6 inches, and New Orleans had its snowiest day since 1895, with 8 inches. Even Mobile, Alabama, broke its record with 7.5 inches.
But the challenges didn’t end when the snow stopped falling. Bone-chilling temperatures have settled over the Gulf Coast, with some areas, like parts of Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle, plunging as low as 12 degrees. For Louisiana, this marks its coldest winter in over a century, according to state climatologist Jay Grymes.
While many roads and homes are still frozen, warmer days are just around the corner. Forecasters predict a thaw this weekend, with temperatures climbing into the 50s and 60s by Sunday. For now, though, officials are urging people to stay off the roads and stay safe as the region recovers from this once-in-a-lifetime winter storm.
