New Orleans Mom Reveals Why She Used Pickles While Decorating Her Mardi Gras Snowman in Rare Storm (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Corice Saunders and her Mardi Gras snowman.Photo:Corice Saunders

Corice Saunders

Winter Storm Enzohas brought record-breaking snowfall to the Southeast — and many residents are having a ball!

The rare winter storm hit states like Texas, Louisiana and even Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 21, dropping several inches of snow and causing icy conditions in the process. The storm impacted several major cities, including Houston, Jacksonville and New Orleans, which is preparing for theSuper Bowl in Februaryand Mardi Gras in March.

New Orleans resident Corice Saunders, mother of PEOPLE reporter Angel Saunders, even made a Mardi Gras-themed snowman to mark the occasion.

“It was a lot of fun and something different to do,” the retired teacher, 63, tells PEOPLE.

Corice Saunders with her snowman in New Orleans.Corice Saunders

With roads closed, Corice and her friends “kept sending each other pictures of different challenges” to try in the snow, she says.

Then Corice sent her cousin in Atlanta a picture of a snowman, one she didn’t make.

“She said, ‘I’m waiting to see a Mardi Gras snowman!’ " shares the mom of two. “So I helped a neighbor decorate hers with that theme.”

But they were a bit limited in supplies, so instead of using buttons or rocks for the snowman’s eyes, Corice tells PEOPLE she opted for a more non-traditional item: pickles.

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“The pickles for the eyes came from me using what was available,” she explains. “My friends and I have a group and I asked them to do the same, but only two of us did it. Some just made snow angels.”

Residents in the Southeast are not used to seeing this much snow. In fact, many cities and towns set records with the latest snowfall.

Pensacola saw 7.6 inches of snow, breaking a 130-year-old record of three inches, according toPensacola News Journal.

Additionally, New Orleans tied its own record that was set in 1895 with 10 inches of snow, according toNOLA.com.

At least ten deaths have also been reported in connection with the extreme winter weather, according toThe New York Times.

Corice Saunders makes a snow angel in New Orleans.Corice Saunders

Corice, who was born and raised in New Orleans, tells PEOPLE this is the most snow she can ever remember seeing in her hometown.

“We have never had rooftops covered in snow all day and into the night,” she said, adding that the snow covered the streets, lawns and driveways — even her car.

“The city is expecting the snow to stay around, so Wednesday will bring more snow day challenges,” she says, adding, “I’m looking forward to seeing what my friend group comes up with.”

source: people.com