ORLANDO, Fla. – Marion County managed to avoid the brunt of the winter system that swept through Florida, though residents are still grappling with the cold.
The Ocala International Airport early Wednesday reported light snow, which is a rare sight for the area.
Dionne Sanders was driving to Georgia and decided to pull over for a few hours because she was worried about the potential for sleet and ice on the roads overnight.
“Traffic was kind of bad, so I was like, ‘I’m going to pull over,’” she said. “I’m not going to deal with it because my life is way too important. It’ll be there when I get there.”
Despite concerns about dangerous roads, deputies reported no major issues. However, with temperatures near freezing, the school district canceled outdoor after-school activities through Thursday.
Students at bus stops had to brave the cold, prompting parents like Carl Hicks to ensure their children were well-prepared.
“Extra linens on, socks, undershirts, jackets, stuff like that. You got to layer up,” Hicks advised.
Shelters have been taking in more people as escaping the cold becomes a priority for many.
“You just got to deal with it, man. It’s Florida. It jumps from one temperature to the next one,” Hicks said.
The forecast indicates that temperatures will continue to drop over the next few days, with lows dipping into the 20s on Thursday and Friday. Fortunately, the threat of precipitation is not expected to return.
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