Rabun County hit by two powerful winter storms

Icy Fern and snowy Gianna brought a one-two punch to the region in just a week

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Rabun County in Georgia was hit by two major winter storms in the span of just one week. The first storm, named Fern, brought icy conditions, while the second, named Gianna, dumped heavy snow on the area. Both storms packed a powerful punch, likened to knockout blows in a heavyweight boxing match.

Why it matters

The back-to-back winter storms caused significant disruption and damage in the Rabun County region, highlighting the challenges the community faces in dealing with extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

The details

The first storm, Fern, brought icy conditions that caused power outages and hazardous travel. The second storm, Gianna, followed shortly after and dropped heavy snow on the area, further complicating recovery efforts. The combination of the two storms in such a short time frame put a strain on local resources and emergency services.

  • Fern, the first winter storm, hit Rabun County in the previous week.
  • Gianna, the second winter storm, struck the region just one week after Fern.

The players

Rabun County

A county in the state of Georgia that was hit by the two powerful winter storms.

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The takeaway

The back-to-back winter storms in Rabun County highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the need for communities to be better prepared to respond to and recover from such disasters.