Winter Storm Remus: National Guard Rescues Stranded Ala. Drivers from Highway
Dozens of Alabama drivers were stranded on the highway Wednesday night as a massive snow storm passed through much of the south.
The National Guard was forced to respond to dozens of motorists stranded overnight on the Interstate 65 in northern Alabama due to heavy snowfall created by Winter Storm Remus. Drivers were forced to sleep in their cars overnight until the National Guard and the local Cullman County Emergency Management Agency worked to remove their vehicles from the deep snow.
Chris Dolce, a meteorologist for weather.com, said that although it is not unusual for the south to see significant snowfall during winter months, it is unusual for the south to see four snow storms in just one week.
"Snow or ice in the South is not uncommon during the winter, particularly in January and February. Many cities such as Dallas, Atlanta and Charlotte average about two days with measurable snow each winter," Dolce said. "However, what makes Winter Storm Remus unique is the fact that it's the fourth winter storm since early last week to affect parts of the region with snow and ice. We had Octavia and Pandora last week, followed by Quantum at the beginning of this week."
The snow has become so difficult in some parts of Georgia that this week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal ordered the closing of 51 northern counties.
"I've directed state agency heads to close state offices in affected areas & on Capitol Hill tomorrow at 12 p.m.," Deal said in a statement via Twitter.
