Winter storm live updates: Houston airports close as historic snowfall could land on Florida, Louisiana and Texas
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A rare winter storm is walloping Gulf Coast states on Tuesday, bringing dangerous travel conditions and bitter cold.
More than 4,000 flights were delayed or canceled within, into, or out of the U.S. by mid-morning – and major airports, such as in Houston, temporarily suspended their operations.
The major metro warned its residents to be safe and stay off roads so that first responders could travel easily on icy roads.
“My grandkids are excited about seeing snow, and as mayor, I am taking the city’s safety seriously despite all the anticipation. Please continue to stay home, don’t risk your safety, and leave the roads for our first responders,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged at a Monday press briefing.
The storm has left 34,000 customers in the Lone Star state without power.
Georgia declared a state of emergency and schools closed in states across the country. In New Orleans, this could be the biggest storm in a lifetime, according to forecasting company AccuWeather.
The Arctic air is expected to bring historic snowfall, with rates of an inch an hour or more possible from eastern Texas through the western Florida Panhandle.
Ice quakes are heard across central Missouri. What are they?
Missouri residents have reported hearing loud bangs and crashes due to ice quakes, according to ABC 17 News.
Also known as frost quakes, the events occur when falling temperatures cause water in the ground to freeze.
As the ice expands, stress builds up in the ground. When the pressure becomes too much, the ground gives way and emits the crashing sound, according to media forecasting company AccuWeather.
The quakes are harmless and too weak to register on the Richter Scale, which measures the magnitude of earthquakes.
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:44
All roads and bridges in Alabama’s Mobile County should be considered ‘impassable,’ emergency officials say
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:37
Parishes asks residents to conserve water, announce curfew
Louisiana parishes took measures to address threats from the region’s historic winter storm on Tuesday.
Lafourche Parish was the first in south Louisiana to issue a curfew, telling residents to be off roads by 8 p.m.
And, the St. Bernard Parish government requested residents to conserve their water use.
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:36
More than 6,600 Louisiana customers now without power as storm hits the Pelican State
More than 6,650 customers were left without power Tuesday as Winter Storm Enzo bore down on New Orleans, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:31
Texas governor assures grid continues to operate ‘exceptionally well’ as nearly 40,000 customers reported to have lost power
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:20
Here’s what to do if someone is experiencing frostbite or hypothermia
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:14
Photos: Gulf Coast residents feel winter storm conditions
Julia Musto21 January 2025 17:11
