South Gets a White, but Dark, Christmas

Southerners enjoyed an unusual gift Christmas Day: snow. However, it came with a price, as hundreds of thousands were without electricity.

The freezing rain, sleet and snow that crippled the region Christmas Eve left thousands of utility workers spending their holiday trying to restore power lines.

“Mother Nature does not really pay attention to the calendars and programmed holidays,” said Bob Cayler, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

About 54,000 Tennessee homes and businesses were without power Friday evening. In Virginia, at least 244,000 customers were without electricity at one point; 156,000 in Mississippi; 36,000 in Louisiana; and 106,000 in North Carolina.

Much of the service was expected to be restored by nightfall, but it could take days to reconnect power to everyone. While freezing rain was not in the forecast, the South--along with much of the nation--expected to continue under a cold snap already blamed for at least 30 deaths.

Shelters opened across the South, with about 200 people spending the night before Christmas in one Raleigh, N.C., shelter.

People tried to make the most of the sudden entrance of winter, despite the hardship.

In Indianola, Miss., John Weathersby lost power at home, went to his Chevrolet dealership, “started a big ol’ fire on this wood stove” and played host to about 20 other people.

“We have got a big ol’ pot of chicken soup, some hot coffee, and we are just sitting in these rockin’ chairs, watching the traffic go by,” he said.

Fresh from opening his Christmas gifts, Stewart Rush, 14, of Greensboro, N.C., planned to take a more active role in the snow.

“You can go sledding--that’s awesome,” he said.

“It’s neat. It’s about time North Carolina had snow for Christmas, and ice and--Santa Claus weather,” said Carrie Mosteller, 50, of Greensboro, who was not able to make it to see her parents in Charlotte.

Buffalo, N.Y., got more than 6 inches of snow Friday, giving residents a white Christmas, which they’re accustomed to having.

In the South, the sun’s warmth had melted the snow on many roads by afternoon, but some remained closed and icy patches littered the highways. Slick roads were blamed on many deaths in recent days, including six in Alabama, six in Virginia and two in South Carolina. Flight delays and cancellations were reported at many airports.