New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona are all feeling the effects of Winter Storm Fisher. Hundreds of automobile accidents, resulting in a few deaths have already been reported.
In Arizona, snowfall is such a rare occurrence that folks are rushing out for rare selfie opportunities while the snow lasts.
Hundreds of accidents across Oklahoma, New Mexico and Tulsa have been reported as a result of the winter storm. A 21-vehicle pileup in Tulsa, Oklahoma is the largest wreck associated with the storm. It is also responsible for multiple deaths including the death of a 12-year-old boy in New Mexico, as well as the death of a tow truck driver.
After stopping to help a state police officer, the tow-truck-driver was struck by a tractor-trailer and killed. The officer was also injured in the accident, which happened on Interstate 40 in New Mexico. Hundreds of other wrecks have been reported in these areas and officials are urging people to stay home.
In Arizona, occurrences of snow are very rare. That didn’t stop Winter Storm Fisher from covering many areas of the state with snow, including the Saguaro National Park before it moved out of the area. Nogales, Arizona had an estimated 6 inches of snow reported, which is on the southern-most border alongside Mexico. This area picked up more snow from Winter Storm Fisher than Boston has had all winter!
For Arizonians, the sight of snow is a welcome weather event. People are rushing out to snap photos and build snowmen while they still have the chance. Portions of Tucson and southern Arizona received the most accumulating snowfall. According to the National Weather Service, at least 5 inches of snow was reported at the Rita Ranch/Vail area and Summerhaven received 4 inches.
Green Valley received 1 inch of snow while other parts of Arizona had non-accumulating snowfall. The snowfall occurred mostly over eastern Pima and Santa Cruz counties before it moved out of the area to New Mexico and Oklahoma.
