On January 22, 2000, Atlanta experienced a devastating ice storm, affecting infrastructure and causing widespread outages. Approximately 500,000 customers lost power, leading to extensive damage totaling $1.3 billion across multiple states. Remarkably, the storm did not hit during Super Bowl weekend but was followed by another storm, which impacted pre-game activities.
On January 22, 2000, a significant ice storm struck the Southeast, notably impacting Atlanta just days prior to one of the largest sporting events globally. The storm rendered the city’s roads impassable, as numerous trees and limbs fell, obstructing pathways and damaging homes and power lines. Consequently, around 500,000 residents in the Southeast, particularly in the Atlanta metro area, faced power outages, marking the most substantial weather-related disruption since the 1993 Superstorm.
This article discusses the devastating ice storm of January 2000, which occurred just ahead of Super Bowl XXXIV scheduled for January 30. The severe weather resulted in extensive damage and power loss, affecting a vast area from Louisiana to Virginia. Understanding this meteorological event is crucial due to its significant socioeconomic impact, particularly on Atlanta as it prepared for a major international sports event.
In summary, the 2000 ice storm significantly impacted Atlanta, causing widespread damage and power outages just before a major sporting event. Although a second winter storm followed days later, improved conditions emerged for the Super Bowl Sunday. The incident serves as a reminder of how severe weather can disrupt major plans and has left a lasting impression on the city, which would not host another Super Bowl until 2019.
Original Source: weather.com
