Currently, we are experiencing challenging conditions as ice has led to the closure of long sections of Interstate 70 in Kansas, causing numerous accidents along the way. This marks the beginning of a significant winter storm affecting millions of people across the Plains, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions. Over 60 million individuals are under winter weather alerts, facing the threats of heavy snow, freezing rain, and potential power outages in extremely cold temperatures. The system responsible for these conditions has been dubbed Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel. Here are the latest updates on the storm as it unfolds:
– Power Outages Surge In Missouri: By midday Sunday, over 21,000 homes and businesses in Missouri were without power due to Winter Storm Blair. More than two dozen counties in Missouri are impacted, with nearly 10,000 power outages reported in Kansas.
– Multiple Crashes Shut Down Part of Kentucky Highway: Snow and ice led to multiple vehicle accidents on I-64 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to announce prolonged closures. State transportation officials shared images on social media depicting the shutdown.
– Blizzard Conditions in Topeka, Kansas: Topeka is experiencing heavy snowfall and winds reaching up to 45 mph, resulting in near-whiteout conditions. Over 10,000 properties are without power in Kansas as a result.
– Road Conditions Worsen in North-Central Kansas: Kansas Highway Patrol reported that sections of Interstate 135 are now snowpacked, reducing traffic to barely one lane in each direction.
– Nearly 200 Crashes in Missouri: The Missouri State Highway Patrol disclosed 176 reported accidents since Saturday afternoon, with over 600 drivers requesting emergency assistance. Officials advised the public to refrain from driving until the storm dissipates.
– Indiana Activates National Guard: Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has mobilized the National Guard to aid first responders in dealing with the winter storm. Guard teams from various cities will assist stranded motorists and provide emergency support until Tuesday as central Indiana remains under a Winter Storm Warning.
– Flight Cancellations in St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Lambert International Airport recorded the cancellation of at least 191 flights on Sunday morning. United Airlines and Air Canada called off all flights at Lambert Airport for the day.
– Snow Accumulates in Kansas City: Kansas City police advised motorists to avoid driving on Sunday morning as ice transformed into snow, impacting road conditions.
– States of Emergency Declared: The governors of Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky have declared states of emergency in response to the severe winter conditions.
States have declared states of emergency in response to Winter Storm Blair. These declarations allow states to expedite assistance, request federal resources, and coordinate emergency responses within their borders. Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s declaration warned of up to 10 inches of snow and sleet in certain areas of the state. Maryland Governor Wes Moore advised people to avoid travel if possible from Sunday through Monday. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear cautioned about widespread power outages and frigid temperatures throughout the week. Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia urged residents and visitors to stay updated on weather alerts before venturing out onto the roads.
As of Sunday morning, more than 20,000 homes and businesses were without power across four states, according to PowerOutage.us:
– Kansas: 10,458 outages
– Missouri: 5,409 outages
– Michigan: 3,272 outages
– Virginia: 3,068 outages
Moreover, at least 107 flights were canceled on Sunday morning at Kansas City International Airport, as reported by flightaware.com. The airport had reopened on Saturday evening after being shut down for about three hours due to icy runways. Flights resumed around 5 p.m. local time.
Transportation officials in north-central Kansas urged residents to remain at home as crews worked to treat roads covered in ice late on Saturday. Segments of Interstate 70 were closed in areas like Ellsworth, Lincoln, Saline, Dickinson, and Geary.
Senior meteorologist Christopher Dolce from weather.com highlighted that blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of Kansas, northwest Missouri, and far southeast Nebraska. These warnings encompass regions such as the Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka metro areas, where the combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and reduced visibility may meet blizzard criteria intermittently into early Monday. For a more detailed forecast, refer to our coverage here.
