A significant winter storm that blanketed Midwestern communities with several feet of snow over the weekend is now hitting the Mid-Atlantic region, causing hazardous travel conditions and widespread school closures. Federal offices are closing, and airports are experiencing numerous cancellations. Winter storm advisories are in effect for tens of millions of people, with hundreds of thousands left without power from southern Illinois to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Heavy snow is expected to fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour, creating challenges for the morning commute. The storm has prompted closures of federal offices in Washington, with projections of 6 to 12 inches of snow for the nation’s capital and Baltimore. The snow is not expected to melt quickly, and additional snowfall and cold temperatures are anticipated throughout the week.
State governors in Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia have declared emergencies in response to the storm, with warnings of difficult travel conditions and potential highway chaos due to intense snowfall. Residents in Washington, D.C., were seen preparing for the storm, with snow accumulating as far south as Virginia and Kentucky, and as far north as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. Road closures and disruptions have been reported in major cities like Washington and Baltimore, as well as on highways like I-29 in Missouri and I-65 in Indiana. Power outages have affected over 340,000 homes and businesses across several states from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region.
A significant winter storm swept across the East Coast, causing widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and dangerous road conditions. In Kentucky, more than 85,000 outages were reported, with Kentucky Power stating that their crews were diligently working to restore power by switching customers to different power sources where possible. The company assured the public that hundreds of line technicians, assessors, and safety personnel were prepared to address the restoration work ahead and emphasized their commitment to getting everyone’s power back on as quickly as possible.
In Virginia, over 110,000 homes and businesses were left without power, prompting Dominion Energy to mobilize hundreds of crews and bucket trucks across various regions of the state. Dominion Energy spokesperson Aaron Ruby confirmed that additional crews were on standby to assist as needed to expedite the restoration process.
The storm also brought record snowfall to Kentucky, leading to hazardous road conditions and numerous traffic incidents. In Louisville, multiple crashes occurred on the highways, resulting in a high volume of calls for assistance to emergency services. State Police reported a collision involving Trooper Landon Key, who fortunately escaped unharmed after his cruiser was rear-ended while attending to a collision on Interstate 65 in Hart County.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport recorded more than 7 inches of snowfall, setting a new single-day record for the date. The National Weather Service in Louisville issued forecasts predicting an additional 1 to 3 inches of snowfall on Monday morning. Governor Andy Beshear urged residents to stay safe at home while road crews worked tirelessly to clear the streets for utility crews.
Meteorologists anticipated the storm to gradually weaken by Monday afternoon, although frigid temperatures were expected to persist until the weekend, posing ongoing challenges for the affected regions.
The storm’s impact extended beyond power outages and road hazards, affecting air travel as well. By 9 a.m., over 3,000 U.S. flights had been delayed or canceled, with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport reporting significant disruptions. Temporary ground stops were implemented at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, causing average departure delays of 48 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The severe weather forced the closure of numerous schools across several states, disrupting the return to the classroom for many students following the winter break. In Washington, D.C., public schools remained closed as snow accumulation and freezing temperatures persisted, while closures were also reported in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Cincinnati Public Schools and schools in Springfield, Missouri, canceled classes due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions caused by the storm.
As communities across the East Coast grapple with the aftermath of the winter storm, residents are urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines to minimize risks and ensure their well-being during this challenging period.
Contributions to this report by John Bacon and Thao Nguyen.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Winter storm brings heavy snow, travel troubles across East Coast.
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