At least 11 dead after record-breaking snowstorm swept across the South

An extreme cold warning remains in effect Thursday.

January 23, 2025, 9:44 PM

The Gulf Coast is digging out from a once-in-a-lifetime snowstorm that struck from Texas to Florida, closing airports, crippling roadways and leaving freezing temperatures in its wake.

At least 11 deaths have been attributed to the storm and accompanying cold blast.

People explore snow on the beach, Jan. 22, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Drivers get stuck while commuting, Jan. 21, 2025, in Atlanta.
Megan Varner/Reuters

In Dale County, Alabama, one person was killed in a house fire after leaving their stove on to keep them warm and a second person was killed in a car accident, according to the local coroner.

One person died from hypothermia in Georgia and two people died in the cold in Austin, Texas, officials said.

Southwest of San Antonio, five people died when a tractor-trailer collided with other vehicles on an icy road, the Texas Department of Safety said.

In Moncks Corner, South Carolina, a 71-year-old man died while shoveling snow, according to the Berkeley County Coroner's Office.

A drone picture shows snow covering Hermann Park and the downtown Houston skyline in the distance in Houston, Jan. 21, 2025.
Evan Garcia/Reuters
People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Jan. 21, 2025.
Gerald Herbert/AP

This storm brought more snow to some cities than any other storm in at least the last 130 years.

Florida saw its most snow on record, with 9.8 inches of snow recorded in Milton, northeast of Pensacola.

Pensacola also saw an all-time record for the city with 8.9 inches.

Heavy snow falls onto the Florida Welcome Center in Florida, Jan. 21, 2025.
Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock

Texas experienced its first-ever blizzard warning. Beaumont, Texas, recorded 5.2 inches of snow -- an all-time record.

Children play in the snow in a neighborhood near downtown winter storm Enzo brings heavy bands of snow and sleet on January 21, 2025 in Houston.
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Mobile, Alabama, saw an all-time record high of 7.5 inches.

A woman walks through snow in Alabama, Jan. 21, 2025.
Dan Anderson/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock
Heavy snow falls onto the Florida Welcome Center on Jan. 21, 2025.
Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

In Louisiana, Baton Rouge saw 7.6 inches.

New Orleans recorded 8 inches, marking the most snow in the city since 1895.

Snow falls on Chartres Street in the French Quarter on Jan. 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Michael Democker/Getty Images
A snowman wears Mardi Gras throws on Orleans Avenue in the Mid-City neighborhood during a snow storm on Jan. 21, 2025 in New Orleans.
Michael Democker/Getty Images

And the danger isn't over. An extreme cold warning is in effect Thursday morning from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle, with temperatures dropping as low as 12 degrees in parts of the Gulf Coast.

For Louisiana, this is the coldest it's been in over 100 years, state climatologist Jay Grymes said.

Snow is seen on the road as drivers continue their commute in Atlanta, Jan. 21, 2025.
Megan Varner/Reuters

While snow has melted in many areas, the freeze remains a serious threat. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Joe Donahue is urging "everyone to avoid unnecessary travel."

Many of the areas hit hard by the storm will thaw soon; temperatures are expected to climb to the 50s and 60s by Sunday.

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