Severe snowstorm disrupts travel, knocks out power across southern US

Travel disruptions were set to continue on Sunday as a powerful snowstorm battered southern US states, pushing subzero temperatures into regions unaccustomed to severe winter weather.

The latest spell of extreme conditions came just a week after a massive storm swept across large parts of the United States, killing more than 100 people and leaving communities struggling to clear snow and ice.

Widespread snowfall and warnings

Heavy snowfall hit North Carolina and neighbouring states on Saturday, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay off the roads and warning that oceanfront structures were at risk.

All of North and South Carolina were placed under winter storm warnings, along with parts of Georgia, eastern Tennessee, Kentucky and southern Virginia.

Road accidents mount

North Carolina recorded around 750 vehicle crashes on Saturday, according to the state highway patrol.

Faust in North Carolina saw 14.5 inches (37 cm) of snow, while West Critz in Virginia received 12.5 inches. Harrisburg, Tennessee recorded more than nine inches of snowfall.

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In Cape Carteret, North Carolina, strong winds blew thick snow sideways, with the National Weather Service warning that travel was “treacherous and potentially life-threatening, especially if you become stranded.”

Police in Gastonia, North Carolina released footage showing a train slamming at high speed into a semi-truck stuck on railway tracks. No injuries were reported.

Air travel badly hit

The storm led to more than 1,800 flight cancellations over Saturday and Sunday at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major hub for American Airlines, according to FlightAware data. The airport said a 300-member snow team was deployed to clear runways, taxiways, roads and sidewalks.

More than 600 flights were cancelled on Saturday at Atlanta’s international airport, the world’s busiest, with about 50 additional cancellations reported early Sunday.

Arctic blast deepens impact

The National Weather Service said an “explosively deepening coastal cyclone” would continue to bring moderate to heavy snow, strong winds and possible blizzard conditions across the Carolinas. It also warned that a surge of Arctic air behind the storm would push freezing temperatures as far south as Florida by Sunday morning.

Davis, West Virginia recorded the coldest temperature in the lower 48 states on Saturday at minus 28°F (minus 33°C).

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Power outages and closures

Around 156,000 customers remained without power early Sunday, mainly across southern states, with Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana most affected, according to poweroutage.us.

In North Carolina, the National Park Service closed campgrounds and some beaches in the Outer Banks, citing threats to oceanfront structures. A section of highway running through the dunes was also shut.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said the US Army Corps of Engineers had helped install generators at critical facilities, while authorities opened 79 shelters and warming centres across the state.

NASA test delayed

The freezing conditions also forced NASA to postpone a key fuel-loading test of its 322-foot (98-metre) rocket at Cape Canaveral in Florida, a delay likely to push back a planned crewed Moon flyby scheduled for later this month.