After getting reports of snow falling to the north, and many eyes checking out windows, the snow began to fall in Destin about 2 p.m. and continued into the night on Jan. 21 — a day the likes of which many locals have never seen and will not soon forget. 

“This is the most snow I’ve ever seen in Destin, Florida. My entire life,” said 60-year-old Capt. Cliff Atwell. 

“It’s amazing and I’m so glad I got to see it and play in it with my family,” he said. 

The Atwells made videos of making snow angels. 

Live updates on Wednesday |Winter storm in Okaloosa County: Roads, schools, forecast and more

“The snowstorm is unprecedented in the memories of any of the Destin old timers,” said Parker Destin, the great-great-great grandson of Leonard Destin, after whom Destin is named. 

“There was snowfall in Destin in the 1980s and 1960s, but nothing like the volume we received in this storm,” said Destin, who is also on the Okaloosa County School Board. 

“The previous snow record in Northwest Florida was 3 inches in 1895 and we far exceeded that, so lot of rare factors of weather and timing had to line up for this to happen. I’m just thrilled I got to experience it because I don’t think I’ll see it again,” said the 40-year-old. 

It’s a record!Winter storm brought 8.8 inches of snow to Milton

“There was a smile on every face in our community yesterday,” Destin said Wednesday morning. 

Brandy Miles along with her kids, dad Jimmy Miles and A.J. Niemiec went down to the beach Tuesday for a family photo while the snow was falling to commemorate the day. 

“All three adults have been here just about all of our lives,” Brandy said. 

“My dad has been here 69 years, he’s never heard of anything remotely close to this,” she said. “He said when he heard it might snow, he began to pray for it to snow hard so his grandchildren could experience snow with him. 

“When talking with my children about how rare this experience is one of them said, ‘I never thought the first time I played in snow would be Destin,’” Brandy said. 

Muri Kersanac, who moved to Destin in 1974, said, “I’ve never seen snow in Destin.” 

“In the late 70s there was one day we had some flurries, but nothing stuck to the ground. This is just truly beautiful,” Kersanac said Wednesday morning. 

“I ain’t never in 46 years seen nothing like this nonsense,” said Capt. Allen Staples Wednesday morning as he woke up to temps in the teens. 

“It’s too damn cold to work … hell, the fish are probably frozen,” Staples said. 

“It snowed when I was a kid but nothing like this,” Staples said. 

As for Tyler Jarvis, 42, of Jackacuda’s and Brotula’s restaurants, Tuesday was a day he will not soon forget. 

“This was the most snow I have ever seen in Destin,” Jarvis said. 

“I think the last snow that was even close to this was in 2014 but was mostly ice and before that, I think I was in the fourth grade, so around 1992,” Jarvis said. 

“I think this was a dream come true for many Destin local kids and a day all of us will never forget,” he said. 

Tim Broom of Half Hitch Tackle says he loves living in “paradise.” 

“Sixty-three years, and we have now seen it all,” Broom said. 

“Hurricanes, waterspouts, ice storms and now a blizzard. Yesterday and today are historic. Most of us have never seen or ever will see this again,” Broom said. 

“While I’m ready for spring, I’m thankful for this opportunity. Destin is truly paradise,” he said. 

“Oh, and by the way after this, fishing should be on fire,” he added.