Snowstorm in America: Train accident and widespread flight cancellations
The United States is experiencing a complete transportation standstill after a snowstorm through the southern regions, areas historically unaccustomed to such extreme polar conditions. These harsh weather circumstances caused temperatures to plummet to record lows below zero, resulting in widespread disruption to roads, airports, and railways.
Details of the horrific train accident
In a breathtaking scene captured on camera in Gastonia, North Carolina, severe weather and heavy snowfall caused a horrific freight train accident. Footage shows the train traveling at high speed before crashing into a semi-trailer truck that was stopped and stuck on the tracks, completely crushing it. Fortunately, local authorities confirmed that there were no casualties, but the accident highlighted the dangers of traveling in such stormy conditions.
Paralysis in air traffic and airports
The chaos wasn't limited to roads and railways; it extended to air travel as well. Data from FlightAware, a flight tracking website, showed that more than 1,800 flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday. Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, a major hub for American Airlines, was the hardest hit. Airport management had to deploy a massive team of 300 personnel working around the clock to clear snow from the runways and access roads in an effort to restore normal operations.
Why is the American South so severely affected?
This storm is particularly dangerous because it is hitting southern states like North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The problem is that the infrastructure in these states is not as well-equipped as in the northern states to handle heavy snow and ice. Municipalities there often lack sufficient snowplows and salt trucks, turning highways into deadly icy tracks as soon as temperatures drop. This explains why traffic police recorded more than 750 traffic accidents in just a few hours in one state alone.
Official warnings and a worrying climate context
This cold snap comes amid a harsh winter gripping North America, just days after a previous winter storm claimed the lives of more than 100 people across the country. The National Weather Service has warned that travel in these conditions could be "deadly," especially with snowfall reaching 37 centimeters in some areas and strong winds pushing snow horizontally, severely reducing visibility. Authorities have urged residents in the affected states to stay indoors and avoid venturing out until the storm has passed.
