Monday, January 20, 2025 As Winter Storm Enzo surges into the South, it has already begun to carve a path of icy destruction, disrupting travel and the tourism-dependent Gulf Coast. From Texas to Georgia, a frosty grip is paralysing regions unaccustomed to such winter chaos, sending shockwaves through the travel industry and tourism hotspots. The storm’s wrath began Monday night as cold air clashed with moisture across Texas and Louisiana, laying a slick foundation of snow and ice.
From Houston to Corpus Christi, cities known more for sweltering summers found themselves encased in winter weather, grinding travel to a halt. Tourism, a critical pillar of these cities, is now teetering as hotels and landmarks struggle with closures and cancellations. In Texas, major travel hubs such as San Antonio and Austin were inundated with snow and ice, throwing the travel trade into disarray.
Reports of icy roads, flight cancellations, and impassable highways flooded in, leaving would-be tourists and business travelers stranded. Meanwhile, coastal areas from Galveston to the Rio Grande Valley faced moderate to severe ice threats, jeopardizing power lines and infrastructure. Enzo’s icy grip tightened Tuesday, stretching its reach eastward.
Snow and ice cascaded along the Gulf Coast, impacting areas in Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. In tourism-reliant hubs like New Orleans, the storm’s icy touch proved devastating, silencing normally bustling streets. Local landmarks shut.
