Southern Cities Find Innovative Solutions to Remove Leftover Snow and Ice Following Unusual Winter Storm

NEW ORLEANS—In the aftermath of a winter storm that brought ice and record-setting snowfall, cleanup operations were in full swing on Thursday in several major Southern cities, including New Orleans, where snow removal crews tackled this unusual task similarly to how they collect trash, drink cups, and plastic beads following Mardi Gras festivities.

As temperatures began to rise across the Southern U.S., there was optimism that the remaining snow and ice would begin to melt.

“We must be realistic—we’re from Louisiana; we know crawfish and football, but snow and ice are not our expertise, and that’s perfectly fine,” stated Daniel Gitlin, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. “This too shall pass, and for now, we’re better off allowing Mother Nature to handle it.”

According to Gitlin, as much as 200 miles of interstate roads are expected to remain blocked until Friday due to hazardous patches of black ice. He added that Louisiana’s supply of road salt is nearly depleted after extensive usage.

In New Orleans, a private waste management company has been enlisted to adapt its equipment, normally used for cleaning up post-Mardi Gras debris, to clear the snow from the streets.

IV Waste President Sidney Torres reported that his company has deployed a 4,000-gallon (15,000-liter) “flusher” truck, which sprays water on the ground to help soften the ice for removal in the historic, festive French Quarter. Ordinarily, the truck dispenses a lemon-scented fragrance “to eliminate the unpleasant odors from last night’s revelries,” Torres explained. “We’re innovating and finding more effective methods to tackle this.”

In a show of regional support, Arkansas sent snowplows, dump trucks, salt spreaders, and other machinery to assist Louisiana, according to Governor Jeff Landry.

The storm resulted in snowfall that likely shattered multiple records across the area, including a preliminary report from Florida indicating 10 inches (25 centimeters) in one town, which would mark a new record for the state if confirmed.

The historic city of Savannah, Georgia, reported snow totals of 3 inches this week, the highest amount recorded since December 1989.

In Atlanta’s metropolitan area, snow accumulation was lighter; the southern suburbs experienced more snow and ice than the northern regions. In Covington, located southeast of Atlanta, Jesse Gentes used a flamethrower to melt ice on the roads in his neighborhood. He usually uses the device for brush removal in milder weather, he shared with WSB-TV.

The port city of Brunswick and surrounding Glynn County faced forecasts of light freezing rain on Thursday, prompting local officials to impose an overnight curfew due to icy road conditions and extremely low temperatures. Officials established three warming stations for those seeking shelter from the cold, while almost 4,000 residents in the county were still without power as of Thursday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us.

South Carolina reported at least one fatality linked to the storm; a 71-year-old man died from a medical condition while shoveling snow Thursday morning in Berkeley County, according to Coroner Darnell Hartwell. The National Weather Service noted that approximately 3-4 inches of snow fell in the region.

With the snow and ice persisting, roads in coastal South Carolina were left in disarray, including the James Island Connector in Charleston. The icy conditions led to its closure as crews worked hard to manage the situation, with an estimated timeline for reopening being uncertain.

Schools and county offices remained shut down across most areas south and east of Columbia, the state capital, as officials urged residents to stay home for at least one additional day.

North Carolina faced similar challenges, with dangerous road conditions persisting after melted snow refroze overnight. Schools were closed, with Cumberland County announcing an “asynchronous” learning day, allowing students to complete tasks from home. Many other districts also implemented a two-hour delay.

In Alabama, some school systems remained closed on Thursday due to ongoing concerns about ice on the roads and the risk of frozen pipes in schools. Sections of Interstate 65 and Interstate 10 were shut down in coastal Baldwin County because of icy conditions.

Across the South, airports were slowly recovering from the disruption caused by the weather. On a national scale, around 600 flights entering or leaving U.S. airports were canceled by midday Thursday, a significant improvement compared to previous days when the storm peaked, as reported by the flight tracking service FlightAware.com.

By Jack Brook and Russ Bynum