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CNN Live At Daybreak

Snow Shuts Down Columbia, South Carolina

Aired January 03, 2002 - 06:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: A little snow can go a long way down South. That winter snowstorm left behind a few inches of snow in Georgia, and it's causing some real problems.

CNN's Sean Callebs is in Augusta, Georgia this morning.

Sean, usually I think of Augusta and I think of golfing, but I guess not much of that today, huh?

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. Actually, we're about 60 miles to the east of Augusta. We're in Columbia, South Carolina right now. We were in Augusta late yesterday afternoon. And you can see as snow is spitting here somewhat, but really across the southeast, residents are waking up to ice slickened (ph) streets and as you heard, the possibility of more snow.

Let's pan over this way, we can give you an idea of what the big problem is here. There was a mixture of snow and sleet last night, froze overnight, so it's just a big sheet of ice out here on the road right now.

We may be in front of the State House here in South Carolina, it may be an idyllic picture, but if you're not used to getting around in this stuff, calling it a challenge could be an understatement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): Commuters carefully navigated their way through the early winter blast in the heart of South Carolina. From Norfolk, Virginia to Louisiana, the snow just kept falling.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the biggest snowball I've ever seen.

CALLEBS: The South has a limited arsenal to combat snow and ice, and all too often the inexperience of driving on frozen roads prove to be a glaring problem. Fearing the worst, there was also a run on milk, bread and other staples throughout the region.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm already -- there's really no milk in there, no bread, you know, and I have a grandson that they just put on whole milk so we're trying to help him get to the other stores right now so I can find some milk. CALLEBS: The haze of snow and ice also put a bite on airlines at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport. Scores of flights were canceled as passengers just waited for the worst to pass.

But so many didn't find discomfort, more like disbelief.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to go home and build a snowman, my very first.

CALLEBS: For them, the geographical oddity was heaven sent and a way to ring in the new year in memorable fashion.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: Well Columbia's few salt trucks and snowplows are out doing what they can to clear the major roads. But the bottom line here, even a couple of inches of snow is big news. And as we have found out, enough to bring the city to a grinding halt.

Live in Columbia, South Carolina, I'm Sean Callebs.

Carol, back to you.

LIN: Hey, Sean, I'm wondering, how are you getting around town?

CALLEBS: You know we came in last night, and actually from Atlanta to Augusta, the drive there wasn't too bad. But about Augusta, it started to freeze, and it took us about two hours to go the last 60 miles. It was very slick, very dangerous, and you have just as much chance seeing someone fishtail out here as you do seeing a salt truck go by because there just aren't many out here.

LIN: All right. So have you found the best burger joint in Columbia?

CALLEBS: We haven't found any place that's even open in Columbia. We've been reduced to going to, like, the 7-11 and eating peanuts.

LIN: Oh you poor thing. All right.

CALLEBS: We're OK.

LIN: All right, thanks, Sean. Well we'll have something hot waiting for you when you get back home. All right.

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