Freak snowstorm paralyses American city

Authorities admit they were unprepared as only three inches of snow fell

Georgia National Guard troops Command Sgt. Maj. Buddy Grisham (L) and Sgt. Chad Armstrong help each other from slipping on the ice as they assist people in getting their stranded cars out of the snow in Atlanta, Georgia January 29, 2014. A rare ice storm (Reuters )

A freak snowstorm has paralysed a southern American city as thousands of motorists were stranded in their vehicles and students across the city were stuck in school overnight.

Atlanta, in southern Georgia and home to the world’s busiest airport, ground to a halt despite the snowstorm only delivering three inches of snow.

The unusual weather caught authorities out with Atlanta’s mayor Kasim Reed and Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal admitting preparations could have been better.

Despite seemingly inadequate preparations, there have been no fatalities so far although nearly 1000 car accidents have been reported.