Believe it or not, it has been 30 years since the Blizzard of ’93. Before Snowpocalypse hit in 2014, this was the big weather event everyone in Georgia talked about. After all, blizzards in The South are just not that common.
Before we dig into the news event, let’s take ourselves back to 1993.
The Time: In 1993, Bill Clinton was serving as the 42nd President of the United States, and Zell Miller was the Governor of Georgia. The top local news personalities included Monica Kaufman and Brenda Wood. Bringing you weather reports on the blizzard were Ken Cook, Karen Minton, Glenn Burns, and Paul Ossmann.
Gas prices were around $1.07 per gallon, and some of the most popular movies of the year were Jurassic Park, The Fugitive, and Mrs. Doubtfire. The top songs included “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40, and “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey.
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The Blizzard: In March 1993, Georgia experienced a rare and severe winter storm that would come to be known as the Blizzard of ’93. The storm originated in the Gulf of Mexico and quickly moved up the East Coast, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and record-breaking cold temperatures to Georgia and many other states.
In Georgia, the snow began falling on the afternoon of March 13 and continued through the night, with some areas receiving up to a whopping 20 inches of snow.
The snowfall was accompanied by powerful winds, which created drifts as high as six feet in some places. The cold temperatures, which dropped to as low as 5 degrees in some areas, caused icy conditions on roads and highways, making travel treacherous.
The storm left many Georgians stranded in their homes without power, heat, or water. Schools and businesses were closed for several days, and many events, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Atlanta, were canceled.
The National Guard was called in to assist with snow removal and to transport doctors and nurses to hospitals.
The Aftermath: The Blizzard of ’93 caused widespread damage and disruption across Georgia and the Southeast. In addition to the human toll, the storm caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
The Georgia Department of Transportation reported that it spent over $20 million on snow removal efforts, making it the costliest weather event in the state’s history at the time.
Despite the devastation, the Blizzard of ’93 also brought out the best in many Georgians. Neighbors helped each other dig out from the snow, and volunteers worked around the clock to clear roads and restore power. The storm reminded many people of the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.
In the years since the Blizzard of ’93, Georgia has experienced many other severe weather events, including ice storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. But the Blizzard of ’93 remains a significant event in the state’s history, a reminder of the power of nature and the strength of the human spirit.
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