Get more stories delivered right to your email. About 1,500 passengers who could not get flights out spent the night at the airport, said Hartsfield-Jackson spokesman Reese McCranie. Leave a comment on ourFOX 5 Atlanta Facebook page, tweet us at @FOX5StormTeam, or tag us on Instagramat @FOX5Atlanta. As thousands of Atlanta residents jump in their cars and start going nowhere, Mayor Reed accepts the 2014 Georgian Of The Year award from GeorgiaTrend Magazine. Some people had to abandon their cars or sleep in them overnight. 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. She sent messages to Facebook and took calls and advice from friends and family. When a light snow started falling early Tuesday afternoon, Saquana Bonaparte, 31, left her. Celebrating 75: A look back at 'Snowmageddon' and the changes it brought There wasnt that much snow, but a perfect storm of events led to one of the biggest messes in Georgias history. The real problem, he said, was a vast and unexpected flow of people who took to the roads at nearly the same time. Observations People stuck at home got really creative. Kids slept in their schools when no one could pick them up. Multiple locations were found. Atlanta is a regional gateway city, meaning people driving from points north, south, east and west of the city pass through on on Interstates 75, 85 and 20; other interstate highways in the region include 285, 575 and 675. Would you rather collect 80% of an accurate appraisal or 20% of an inflated one? Snowpocalypse ATX | Razorhorse That said, areas along and just south of the Interstate 20 corridor of East Central Georgia still received ice totals not seen in decades. I didnt see any kind of emergency help all night, she said. You know, that time when commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. 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. But in those sea of vehicles, reports of babies being born Do you have a memory you want to share with us? The worst Georgia ice storm on record is likely subjective; after all, everyone experiences things differently. On the Today show, Al Roker said the traffic nightmare in Atlanta was caused by "poor planning on the mayor and governor's part." Many Atlanta residents described the aftermath as the opening scene from The Walking Dead. Denise Watkins, who was moving on Tuesday, ended up sleeping on a strangers couch after inching through the city for about nine hours. Do you remember any of these horrific winter storms in Georgia? At least two babies were born during the storm, one with the help of a Sandy Springs police officer who got to a woman who was giving birth in a car on Interstate 285 and helped her husband deliver the baby, named Grace, as in by the grace of God.. Some of the most historic blizzards in Georgia go down in the books as truly remarkable and wholly unforgettable. Thankfully, Atlanta hasn't experienced anything likeSnowmageddon, also referred to as "Snowpocalypse," since 2014. Vehicle Valuation Experts - Claims Hotline, Call or Text: (678) 404-0455. The sea of vehicles on the roadway showed signs of clearing by Jan. 30. What year was the big ice storm in Georgia? Atlanta and snowfall: A rocky history, to say the least Atlanta Snow | Gov. Deal: I don't think we responded fast enough Usually, the snow melts after a day or two along with the resolve to prevent a recurrence. Cars werent starting, which caused many people to be stuck at home in miserable and life-threatening conditions. Example: Picture of vehicle before accident or anything else. FAQs Here's how the story unfolded on our Facebook page: The first signs of a snow storm aren't typically flakes falling from the sky A few hours into the Winter Storm Warning and FOX 5's Joanne Feldman was already tracking snow showers moving into the state. WRONG! 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. However, Atlanta's most impactful storm in recent years has to be what local residents have deemed Snowmaggedon, a 2014 storm that dropped around 2 inches of snow in the city. ATLANTA - Thursday marks the two-year anniversary of "Snowmageddon2014" and we are happy to report there are no signs of wintry weather in Atlanta's forecast! I was just like, oh, God, people are going to steal my stuff, and Im sitting here in the middle of the road.. Those kinds of good Samaritan moments happened seemingly everywhere. The snow fell. Students slept in school gyms. Some people had to abandoned their cars or sleep in them. Maps Atlanta Snowmageddon 2014 is six years old today | 11alive.com Recreational Forecast Gov. Regional Loop, Climate "And if I'm responsible for it, I'll accept that. Strangers invited him to their apartment for a bowl of oatmeal. People took to the highways on foot, handing out hot water and hot chocolate, bags of snacks and blankets. . You might be interested in the seven natural wonders of Georgia, then! It Does Snow In Atlanta, But Not Regularly - Ramble Atlanta "I have no doubt it's having a serious impact on goods moving broadly across the Southeast. You know, that time when commuters, schools and businesses all let out at the same time, causing gridlock. Snowmageddon, 2014. Jon Stewart Made All The Easy Southern Jokes While Eviscerating Atlanta's Snowmageddon Last Night. 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. "That is a lesson we need to look at and see if it would have made a difference in that situation," he said. Winter Storm Leon, which left about two inches of snow covering the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, hit Atlanta particularly hard. He said the city has spent $2.5 million since then on equipment. By 8:35 Monday morning AirTran had canceled every single flight for the day. Peachtree City Wynter Mariah Dobbins. When is the last time it snowed in Atlanta | Atlanta snow history Nathan Deal were by turns defensive and apologetic. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. Fire Weather Even Gov. It was virtually impossible to drive in midtown Atlanta. Ice Storm Atlanta: 5 Winter Storms In GA That Made History State and city leaders were put on the offensive for their handling of the storm. And again during "Snow Jam 1982," a storm that hit in January of that year. But you could certainly ice skate down Peachtree Street. The January 28, 2014 snowstorm crippled metro Atlanta for almost a week and caused extreme chaos on the city's main interstates and highways. Others ran out of gas. I was talking to a friend of mine who lives in Boston, he was laughing at our situation. Which of the following information do you have? Why Atlantans Freak Out When Snow Is in the Forecast: Flashback to 2014 "When you get two snowstorms every three years, it's easier to take that approach," he says. It was not, and there were a number of contributing factors: Metro Atlanta was caught flatfooted. Not to mention the mess on I-285 where dozens of tractor trailers remained for several days. He and other children were rescued when a group of fathers made their way down a hill on foot and took the boys to cars that whisked them to a parking lot, where Mrs. Reid was waiting with pizza. 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. They called it Snowpocalyopse. . NewsChopper 2 got a bird's-eye view of the frozen carnage on Georgia's interstates, showing hundreds of abandoned cars. But the spirit of Atlanta and the South combined on social media to form a group where neighbors began to help neighbors. Forecast Discussion Snowmageddon Atlanta 2014 The Atlanta disaster was mainly a traffic issue. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. Atlanta 1982: 40 years ago, Snow Jam '82 brought Atlanta to a - ajc Fortunately a "dry slot" wrapped around the south end east side of the upper level low pressure area. Remembering 'Snowmageddon' 2014: 2 years later Pictures taken in the early evening already showed the chaos. Contact us Leigh Walker, a teacher, had breakfast Wednesday with students who spent the night at Oak Mountain Intermediate school in Indian Springs, Ala. About 80 children and 20 adults spent the night at the school due to a winter storm. The slick roads caused spinouts and wrecks across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. 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. 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. This time last year we were preparing for snowmageddon in Atlanta. Outlooks Our Office. Insurance companies know who the legitimate appraisers are, so don't get caught up in the estimate game. Thousands of flights were canceled because of the winter weather. Jon Stewart Made All The Easy Southern Jokes While Eviscerating Atlanta Be prepared the next time winter weather strikes metro Atlanta by following us on Facebook and downloading the Severe Weather Team 2 app. He eased the car off the road and slept in a parking lot, trading thumbs up signs with the woman in the next car. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Authorities told us that they responded to more than 200 accidents this afternoon, Channel 2s Justin Farmer reported throughout our coverage of the storm. In fact, as the snow picked up. 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. Atlanta weather: City's worst snowstorm wasn't Snowmageddon or - ajc Thankfully, blizzards in Georgia are rare. He said there should be a staggered schedule of releases: Students leave first, then private business employees and finally government workers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Also called Snowpocalypse, Jan. 28, 2014, is far from forgotten by the metro Atlantans who lived through it. Nathan Deal said about the storm. The next storm was supposed to be different. 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. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration As I was driving home from my office (4.5 mile trip took me 3 hours), I was stopped ahead of a bridge by an Alpharetta police officer, I was the first car and could see the carnage in front of me, the bridge was a solid sheet of ice and multiple motorists wiped out ahead of me and are now parked sideways on the bridge. Mr. Reed, who was combative in news media briefings, said many of the problems had occurred on state roads. 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 city was more prepared than it had ever been, he said. That led to Too many people hitting the roads at the same time. I was like if I dont get home to my parents, like, Im going to freak out, one student said. Drivers take refuge inside a local store as roads become too slick to drive on. Everyone knew it was going to snow and there could be ice - leading to long lines at the supermarket. Others had abandoned their cars in or beside the road. It is an image that would be seen over and over again. 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. Atlanta had been here before. Ice and snow coated Charleston, S.C., Augusta, Ga., New Orleans and dozens of other Southern communities ill-equipped to deal with it. The snow started falling at 12:30. Rivers/Lakes, Radar Imagery Two rounds of precipitation occurred with this event. The interstates were like ice skating rinks, and thousands of people were stranded on the side of the road. He said the city's response was better than after "Snowmageddon 2011," the winter storm that paralyzed the Atlanta metro that year. Deal issued a state of emergency declaration after 5 p.m. Tuesday, well after governors in other Southern states had done so. 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. Cant get enough of Georgias amazing natural wonders? While ice storms arent too rare in Georgia, this one was one of the most catastrophic. This dry slot was larger and further north than most computer forecasts were indicating previously. We saw some very strange photos, some that we can't even show you. 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. 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), Gov. 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. 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. The roads are full of ice, one driver told us at the time. Local, Forecasts In South Carolina, more than 800 accidents were reported by the State Police in a 12-hour period. By late Wednesday afternoon, some people remained stuck on the Interstate, but the hundreds of children who had been forced to spend the night at school had made it home. Its sad for Americas 9th largest metro area to fall into chaos over 2.5 inches of fluffy snow. 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. Or if you want to take a deeper dive into the largest blizzard in Georgia history, feel free to do so. We saw a half foot or more of snow accumulate. 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. Here's what we remember best about the storm: Glenn Burns nailed the forecast. 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." Does the vehicle have unrelated body damage? Its impossible to drive right now. One man even walked 6 miles to spend the night with his daughter, who was stuck at school. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The ambulance that was headed their way crashed. Although the. 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.. See how many of these horrific winter storms in Georgia you can remember for yourself. 2014 Historic Winter Storm 12 things we remember about Snowmageddon 2011 - WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta This amazing. A lot of us watched the game, because we couldn't leave the house. 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. Tropical Weather, Current Weather SNOWMAGEDDON: Remember the last big winter storm to hit Atlanta? ", "I'm willing to accept whatever blame comes my way," Deal said. Twice. He had only a quarter of a cookie someone shared with him to eat. Graphical Snowmageddon - Wikipedia Dozens, if not hundreds, of vehicles were left. Motorists stopped on normally busy roadways. She had to turn off her car when it began to overheat. http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/615/img/photos/2011/10/10/26411461.jpg. 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. 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. Two inches of chaos: What Atlanta's leaders were doing while the - CNN Abbott invoked the immigration status of shooting victims, How Trump made it cool for Republicans to hate their own party, JPMorgans acquisition of First Republic revives too-big-to-fail talk. Computer Models This might simply be Atlanta's fate in winter storms: The city was also brought to a standstill in a winter storm in 1993. All NOAA. And we found heroes were among all of us. ATLANTA There are bad commutes, and then there is what happened here this week. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed face withering scrutiny over their handling of the weather emergency. 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. 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. January 31, 2014. 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. However, the blizzard most commonly referred to as the worst blizzard in Georgia history was the incredible storm of 1993, dropping 20 inches of snow and killing at least 300. It was very difficult to find bread and milk or an open restaurant. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. StormReady Satellite Images 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. 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. Drivers and some employees took shelter in this Publix grocery store on West Paces Ferry Road. Theyre able to pre-position their resources to be able to treat the roads when it happens as opposed to being reactive. 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. ATLANTA Remember Snowmageddon, aka Snowpocalypse, in 2014? Please select one of the following: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. When the week ended, we had received about 11,000 pictures from viewers. Dozens, if not hundreds, of vehicles were left stranded after the storm created massive gridlock on the roads. One of the biggest stories to impact Georgians in recent years was Snowmageddon, which happened nearly nine years ago this month. Some drivers slept in their cars. Climate FAQs, Weather Safety Her boyfriend, Byron Dobbins, called 911. This article was published more than9 years ago. Local 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. 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. Hire an appraiser based on their credentials and reputation. One of the most infamous winter storms in Atlanta history was dubbed Snowmageddon, and it took place on January 28, 2014. In the days leading up to the storm, forecasters said the brunt of it would hit south of the city. Anyone can read what you share. There was a ground stop at the airport during part of the day Tuesday, and Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights. 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. Police investigating early morning shooting at area Waffle House, Arrest made in Tuscaloosa shooting that left 1 injured, Tarrant City Council votes to reinstate police chief. Whatever you called the snow storm of January 2011, you no doubt remember being stuck at home from Sunday night until mid-week. Such a declaration usually triggers school dismissals and business closings. "We do take responsibility for having the business community, the government and the schools leave all at once," he said. But Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein did a decent job sledding in Piedmont Park. User's Guide, About Us We can never promise that we will always be correct when it comes to deciding what Mother Nature will do.. "So much of the freight industry is based on just-in-time arrangements," he said. 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). We've had a number of winter weather events, but city officials have been well-prepared each time. "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.".