Winter Storm Blankets The South | January 23, 2025

Summary

This episode of CNN 10 covers a range of impactful stories, starting with a record-breaking winter storm in the US Gulf Coast, causing widespread disruption and historic snow in places like Florida and New Orleans. The segment also highlights an environmental initiative in South Australia aimed at restoring ecosystems through Indigenous practices. In addition, viewers are treated to a viral video of a vacationer’s dropped phone going on an underwater adventure, capturing stunning marine life. The episode concludes with a shout-out to a teacher whose class is returning after weeks of remote learning due to California fires.

Takeaways

• ❄️ A record-shattering winter storm impacted the US Gulf Coast, causing widespread school and work closures, travel disruptions, and thousands of canceled flights.
• 🌨️ Areas like Florida and New Orleans saw more snow than usual, with some regions receiving up to 8 inches of snow, setting new records.
• 🥶 Bitter cold temperatures affected the Deep South, with temperatures lower in Pensacola, Florida than in Anchorage, Alaska.
• 🚨 States of emergency were declared across multiple states, including Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, due to hazardous conditions.
• ⚠️ The storm resulted in at least nine deaths nationwide, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors to avoid dangerous winter conditions.
• 🌿 An ambitious project in Australia focuses on restoring ecosystems using indigenous practices, including reintroducing native species to improve biodiversity.
• 🦘 The reintroduction of the brush-tailed bettong (Yi) in South Australia is part of efforts to restore wildlife populations decimated by habitat loss and feral animals.
• 🦊 The project addresses the impacts of foxes and cats on local wildlife, aiming to reduce their effects so that species like the Yi can thrive in their natural environment.
• 📱 A viral TikTok video captured the underwater adventure of a vacationer's phone, which was dropped during a swim in Tulum, Mexico, and later retrieved by a lifeguard.
• 🏫 A special shoutout went to Mr. Glenn's international class in Pasadena, California, whose students are returning to school after weeks of remote learning due to wildfires.

Q & A

What major weather event impacted the Gulf Coast of the US this week?

A record-shattering winter storm hit the Gulf Coast, causing widespread school and work closures, travel disruptions, and dangerous road conditions, along with at least nine deaths.

How much snow did parts of Florida receive during the winter storm?

Parts of Florida saw more than 8 inches of snow, potentially more than the state has ever seen in recorded history.

What unusual weather comparison was made between Florida and other states?

It was noted that Florida had more snow on the ground than Iowa and Nebraska combined, and it was colder in Pensacola, Florida, than in Anchorage, Alaska.

How did the storm impact travel in the Gulf Coast region?

Over 2,100 flights were canceled, airports in Houston and Lafayette shut down, and travelers were urged to avoid hazardous road conditions due to the storm.

What is a unique trivia fact mentioned in the show?

The only continent without an active volcano is Australia, which lies far from tectonic plate boundaries.

What conservation project is being discussed in the script?

The script discusses a project in South Australia aimed at restoring ecosystems through rewilding, including reintroducing native species that were lost due to European colonization.

Which species is being reintroduced in South Australia as part of the conservation project?

The brush-tailed bettong (Yi) is being reintroduced to the York Peninsula, South Australia, where it had disappeared due to habitat loss and the introduction of feral animals.

How does the brush-tailed bettong contribute to the ecosystem?

The brush-tailed bettong is an ecosystem engineer that promotes plant growth by aerating soil and spreading seeds as it forages for food.

What surprising event went viral on social media?

A vacationer in Tulum, Mexico, accidentally dropped her phone while taking a plunge, and the phone continued recording underwater, capturing a vibrant underwater landscape and friendly fish, which went viral on TikTok.

Who received a shout-out in the show, and why?

Mr. Glenn's International Balarat class in Pasadena, California, was given a shout-out for persevering through remote learning after being affected by fires in the area.