Cant get enough of Georgias amazing natural wonders? Because Atlanta is such a vital air transportation hub, the storm walloped operations at the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Local ATLANTA There are bad commutes, and then there is what happened here this week. Gov. Many schools and businesses closed in the late morning and early afternoon. What were some of the most historic blizzards in Georgia? No one could travel out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the delays caused a ripple effect. He had only a quarter of a cookie someone shared with him to eat. . Ginger Reid, 44, waited for eight hours to see her son, Ross, 11, who was stuck on a bus. 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. Would you rather collect 80% of an accurate appraisal or 20% of an inflated one? 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. We can never promise that we will always be correct when it comes to deciding what Mother Nature will do.. I knew it was time to get down and dirty.. 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. Tori Linder, 22, was on her way to her job at a neonatal intensive care unit when she got caught in a traffic jam on Interstate 285. ", "I'm willing to accept whatever blame comes my way," Deal said. Many clients believe that if another appraiser gives them a higher initial estimate, the settlement amount will be equally high. Average Snowfall: 1 inch Usual Weather in Atlanta in February Average High Temperature: 57 degrees Average Low Temperature: 37 degrees Average Precipitation: 4.5 inches Average Snowfall: 0.5 inches Usual Weather in Atlanta in March Average High Temperature: 65 degrees Average Low Temperature: 44 degrees Average Precipitation: 5.1 inches In fact, as the snow picked up. State and city leaders were put on the offensive for their handling of the storm. Incident Support Obviously, if you had an accident, your repair will qualify you for Diminished Value as well. Not all Atlantans are well versed at sledding. In the days leading up to the storm, forecasters said the brunt of it would hit south of the city. Others ran out of gas. Temperatures plummeted, causing pipes to burst, homes to flood, and transformers to break. Winter in Georgia tends to be mild, with an average of just two to three inches of snow on the snowiest of days. It was very difficult to find bread and milk or an open restaurant. This time around, all of the other factors were exacerbated by people driving too fast for conditions. 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. NWS The police arrived and took the family to the hospital. 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. 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. We dont want to be accused of crying wolf, said Mr. Deal, who pointed out that the storm had been forecast to just brush the south side of the city. What Atlanta's snowmageddon teaches us about . Contact us 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. People took to the highways on foot, handing out hot water and hot chocolate, bags of snacks and blankets. The rare Southern winter storm stretched to Brownsville, Texas. 2023 Cox Media Group. One of the most infamous winter storms in Atlanta history was dubbed Snowmageddon, and it took place on January 28, 2014. But then I got my composure. Atlanta Officials Gamble on Storm and Lose, and Others Pay the Price, https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/us/ice-storm-southern-united-states.html. 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 interstates were like ice skating rinks, and thousands of people were stranded on the side of the road. . http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/615/img/photos/2011/10/10/26411461.jpg. "Atlanta yesterday was buried under a blanket of snow that reached a depth of 10.3 inches, the largest in the 50-year history of the local weather bureau," Constitution reporter Luke Greene wrote. Some people had to abandoned their cars or sleep in them. Fire Weather US Dept of Commerce But some folks still were able to have a little fun. Reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House, The Souths disastrous response to the winter storm, in pictures, Why Gov. People stuck at home got really creative. There was not much snow only a couple of inches in most parts of the city but as parents vehicles, school buses and tractor-trailers filled the Interstates, the roads iced over, and everything stopped. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. A night removed from The State of the Union, . National Thousands of flights were canceled because of the winter weather. 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. Flickr Tommy Byrd. The problems began as the roads became clogged with drivers as the winter weather moved in. This is the metal plate above your rear bumper. Sometimes youll find real beauty in a fresh snowfall, the silence of a blizzard, or the delicate touch of a snowflake on your face. 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. With the upcoming snow predicted, we decided to take a look back at the mess across metro Atlanta. Warner Robins By early Tuesday, Deal said, Atlanta meteorologists predicted a storm path farther north, but the governor said storm plans were made on the earlier forecasts from the National Weather Service. On Jan. 28, 2014, a little more than two inches of snow brought the city to its knees, the images of cars trapped on the interstate indelibly fixed in Atlanta's collective memory. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The snowstorm and its aftermath paralyzed metro Atlanta for days. Strangers invited him to their apartment for a bowl of oatmeal. There was never and has never since been a blizzard in GA that had the ferocity of the 1993 disaster, and its unlikely that itll repeat itself often, if at all. Despite its usually mild winters, there have been a few notable blizzards in Georgia including: 2. Traffic inched along the connector of Interstates 75 and 85 in Atlanta on Tuesday. Snowmageddon in Atlanta 2011. The "Snowpocalypse" got attention nationally, with late night comedians even getting in on the act. 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. Copyright 2020 WBRC. Please visit our do I qualify page to learn more. Late Tuesday, the National Weather Service said 2.3 inches was. Yearly Climate Graphs The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Mike Luckovich, depicted Deal and Reed responding to the snowfall by making snow angels. DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said many of the department's road-clearing crews were stationed in communities east and south of the Atlanta metro area. Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro Atlantans who lived through it. Or if you want to take a deeper dive into the largest blizzard in Georgia history, feel free to do so. Rainfall Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. 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 Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein did a decent job sledding in Piedmont Park. Two rounds of precipitation occurred with this event. The sea of vehicles on the roadway showed signs of clearing by Jan. 30. One of the most infamous winter storms in Atlanta history was dubbed Snowmageddon, and it took place on January 28, 2014. See how many of these horrific winter storms in Georgia you can remember for yourself. Some drivers slept in their cars. Georgia Road Conditions The first moved in early Tuesday morning on the 11th bringing 2 to 5 inches snow to areas roughly north of a Rome to Gainesville line. Visit our total loss page. Cars werent starting, which caused many people to be stuck at home in miserable and life-threatening conditions. Its sad for Americas 9th largest metro area to fall into chaos over 2.5 inches of fluffy snow. When the storm hit Atlanta, those crews headed to the city and got stuck in traffic, too. 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. Maps It was brought standstill "Snow Jam 1982," a storm that hit in January of that year, and during a winter storm in 1993. The city was more prepared than it had ever been, he said. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed face withering scrutiny over their handling of the weather emergency. When Was Snowmageddon Atlanta? Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency before the first flakes fell on Sunday night. Get more stories delivered right to your email. ATLANTA Remember Snowmageddon, aka Snowpocalypse, in 2014? 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. The precipitation continued through day and into the overnight. 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.. Atlanta Snowmageddon 2014 - Car Accidents and Appraisals / Car Appraisal Blog / By Diminished Value Car . Submit Storm Report GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - Six years ago January 28, a heavy snow that seemed to come out of nowhere wreaked havoc throughout much of the state. When Auburn kicks off against Florida State metro Atlanta temperatures will be in the teens. A paralyzing January storm blew through the metro Atlanta area in 2014, catching many residents -- and officials -- off guard. 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. 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. Nathan Deal were by turns defensive and apologetic. Drivers and some employees took shelter in this Publix grocery store on West Paces Ferry Road. 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. Tuesday morning, when fairly heavy snow started falling north of the city, people started hitting the roads. 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 They called it Snowpocalyopse. Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro Atlantans who lived through it. Be prepared the next time winter weather strikes metro Atlanta by following us on Facebook and downloading the Severe Weather Team 2 app. Not to mention the mess on I-285 where dozens of tractor trailers remained for several days. Considering that Georgia isnt exactly a place thats always prepared for severe winter weather, this historic winter storm in GA changed the lives of everyone who experienced it (and lived to tell the tale). We didnt have any other choice. Computer Models She had to turn off her car when it began to overheat. Matthew Miller offered free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hot drinks to drivers stuck in traffic on Atlanta's Southbound Connector on Wednesday. Everyone knew it was going to snow and there could be ice - leading to long lines at the supermarket. Recreational Forecast Take a look at our photo gallery above and enjoy the snow-free day ahead -- FOX 5 Storm Team's Joanne Feldman says there will be a few morning showers southeast of town, but sunshine comes back this afternoon. I was thinking of looting and things you hear about during other crises, she said. Nathan Deal said about the storm. The next storm was supposed to be different. 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." Even beaches were coated with snow and ice. 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. The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. User's Guide, About Us She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Which Georgia ice storm was the worst? On Jan. 28, 2014, two inches and change of snow brought the city. 2023 Cox Media Group. Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. Josh Tanner, an emergency management specialist at the Gadsden-Etowah County EMA, says that usually happens more often up north. 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. Some commuters were stuck in their vehicles Wednesday morning, up to 18 hours after they first hit 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Once frozen over, the metros interstates turned into parking lots. Local, Forecasts Hundreds of students spent the night at school. 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. Local Storm Reports Jammed-packed interstate in Downtown Atlanta, photo from AJC photographer John Spink. Anyone can read what you share. He said the city's response was better than after "Snowmageddon 2011," the winter storm that paralyzed the Atlanta metro that year. The storm also had a major impact on schools and children. She fought a headache and hunger, trying not to focus on going to the bathroom and rationing her water. Insurance companies know who the legitimate appraisers are, so don't get caught up in the estimate game. SKYWARN 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By the time the precipitation wrapping around the back side of the upper low pressure area ended late Wednesday night in north Georgia, a large area of 2 to 4 inches of snow had fallen roughly north of I-20 and ice accumulations of 1/4 to over 1/2 inch near Atlanta and amounts over 3/4 of an inch all along the I-20 east corridor towards Augusta (see accumulation map). 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. The roads are full of ice, one driver told us at the time. The conditions led to crashes all over the place. Also, there is more pre-treatment of the states roads. Twice. You know, that time when commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. They can be proactive on that, Lanxton said. National Weather Service The storm only produced about two to three inches of snow. Thankfully, blizzards in Georgia are rare. Some surrounding cities, including Hiram, Woodstock, Sandy Springs and Acworth, opened emergency shelters for stranded motorists. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Channel 2 Action News is taking a look at the biggest events in Georgia history as WSB-TV celebrates its 75th anniversary. It was not, and there were a number of contributing factors: Metro Atlanta was caught flatfooted. Children stuck on a school bus many hours after they were supposed to be home safe. 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. Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Associated Press. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. And again during "Snow Jam 1982," a storm that hit in January of that year. February 11-13, 2014 Event Summary 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. 600 total flights in two days. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. FAQs Here is our video story about how some stranded drivers had to sleep in their cars because of the ice. Peachtree City, GA4 Falcon DrivePeachtree City, GA 30269770.486.1133Comments? The forecast path of the storm changed. Our Office. If you suspect structural or undercarriage damage to your vehicle caused by tow truck drivers not properly strapping your vehicle while in tow, you need to file an insurance claim and get the vehicle repaired right away. On the Today show, Al Roker said the traffic nightmare in Atlanta was caused by "poor planning on the mayor and governor's part." Elected officials declared that their departments were unprepared for that storm but will put systems in place for the next time. About 1,500 passengers who could not get flights out spent the night at the airport, said Hartsfield-Jackson spokesman Reese McCranie. That said, areas along and just south of the Interstate 20 corridor of East Central Georgia still received ice totals not seen in decades. Tropical Weather, Current Weather