Despite a rare winter storm blanketing North Florida with as much as 8 inches of snow, a record breaker and one of the most severe storms in Gulf Coast history, the shluchim of Pensacola have kept their Chabad House open to support the community during this unprecedented storm.
By Anash.org Reporter
A rare winter storm has swept across North Florida and the Panhandle, blanketing Pensacola—just 13 miles from the Alabama border—in record-breaking snowfall. Reports from Escambia County indicate up to 5.5 inches of snow, far surpassing the previous record of 3 inches set in 1895. Some areas have reportedly seen as much as 8 inches.
The storm, driven by a low-pressure system moving across the Gulf of America, prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency. The system interacted with Arctic air, leading to widespread impactful winter weather in North Florida starting Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Winter Storm Warnings were issued for the western Florida Panhandle, with additional warnings extending eastward along the I-10 corridor later in the day.
Amid the chaos, Rabbi Mendel Danow, the Shliach of Pensacola, reflected on the unprecedented conditions. “We’re experiencing a truly historic moment here in Pensacola with this big blizzard!” he said. Despite the snowfall, the Chabad House remained open to serve the community. “Despite the snow, people have stopped by for kosher food,” he added, offering a haven of warmth and support during this extraordinary storm.
Photo Credit: Chabad Pensacola
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