There were flights canceled, cars stuck in the snow, and no power

The Atlanta Snowstorm and Power Outage After a Snowstorm lasts a week and a half of the day after. A spokesperson for Dessler

A winter storm has slammed into several states, leaving a blanket of snow, sleet and freezing rain across the South. More than 220 vehicles were stuck on the side of the road in Atlanta, which was among the hardest-hit places. The region’s biggest snowstorm in years has also canceled more than 900 flights at the city’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

“Especially if the ice remains on trees into [Saturday],” Stellman says. “Because we are expecting winds to pick up tomorrow, [it] could cause a power outage concern as some of that ice is on trees and power lines.”

Andrew Dessler is a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University.

“ Tree branches, you get enough ice on there, it’ll, the tree branch will collapse,” Dessler says. “The tree branch will take out whatever’s underneath it, if it’s a power line or a fence or anything like that.”

State of the State: Snowfall and power loss in Arkansas and a decision of the Atlanta Hawks to play at the State Farm Arena on Saturday

Georgia has a winter storm warning in place until Saturday morning, but state officials are urging people to stay home until Sunday. If you do need to get on the road, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry says stay on roadways that are plowed and clear.

“Where it’s slushy, remember to slow down,” McMurry says. Drive conservatively. No hard braking, and no quick maneuvers of the steering wheel [be]cause it is slick.”

People needing shelter or warming stations can reach out to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Gov. Brian Kemp says parks in the North Georgia Mountains are near capacity.

Little Rock and Southwest Arkansas were also covered in snow. More than 34,000 Arkansans have lost power after 15 inches of snow fell across southwest Arkansas. Little Rock saw nine inches .

Electricity should be restored by Saturday afternoon according to Entergy Arkansas. We are close to when the winter storm warning should end.

Citing severe weather and hazardous conditions, the NBA postponed Saturday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, scheduled to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The NBA said the decision was made “to prioritize the safety of the players, fans and staff.” The date for the rescheduled game has not been announced.

The North Carolina Power Authority is Not Enforcing Snow in the Carolinas, but Power Outages Persistent on Southern Highways

Ice and snow are expected to melt by Saturday afternoon in the Charlotte area, but temperatures are expected to drop again Saturday night, according to Trisha Palmer with the NWS. Palmer told NPR member station WFAE that anything that will melt on Saturday will refreeze.

Georgia Power is the largest electric utility in the state and posted on social media that its crews worked overnight to fix fallen trees. “Our crews are out in force today – navigating icy roads – and will continue to work until everyone who can receive power is restored,” the utility said.

The winter storm advisories were lifted across southern counties, according to the National Weather Service. But travel issues and power outages persist across Southern states.