Cold and Ice Grip Much of the Nation
January 29, 2014
Much of the eastern half of the United States is once again in the grip of frigid temperatures. A rare winter storm combining snow and ice has left much of the southern United States paralyzed. Ice caused fatal crashes and hundreds of fender-benders across the region and shut down bridges in Florida’s Panhandle and on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway outside New Orleans. In the greater Atlanta area, thousands of commuters remained trapped in their cars this morning after spending the night on traffic-clogged highways. In both Atlanta and in Birmingham, Alabama, students spent the night in schools, watched over by staff and faculty members. In other areas, children were forced to spend the night on school buses.
Although the National Weather Service warned that the storm was coming, ill-equipped transportation departments were unprepared for the chaos. In Montgomery, Alabama, authorities simply ordered all roads closed. In Alabama and Georgia, governors called up the National Guard to tow stuck vehicles and bring gasoline, food, and water to stranded motorists. Thousands of flights have been canceled across the region. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport reported 930 flights canceled this morning, and Houston’s Bush Intercontinental reported more than 690 canceled flights.
Residents of the Midwest have struggled through near-record cold temperatures for much of this week. According to the National Weather Service, yesterday’s low temperature at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was –11 °F (–23 °C). Parts of Minnesota recorded temperatures yesterday as low as –35 to –50 °F (–37 to –45 °C), and schools remained closed in several Midwestern States for a second consecutive day because of the cold.
The bitter winter weather has also led to a shortage of propane heating fuel, massively driving up prices in both the Midwest and Northeast. The price more than doubled to $4.30 a gallon between January 17 and January 24. The shortage has led to states of emergency being declared in more than 30 states.
Additional World Book articles:
- Ice storm
- The Forecast: Better Weather Prediction Ahead (a special report)
- Hot and Cold: Staying Healthy in All Weather (a special report)
- How the Ocean Affects Climate (a special report)