A significant winter storm that buried Midwestern communities in several feet of snow over the weekend has now moved into the Mid-Atlantic region, leading to hazardous travel conditions and widespread school closures. Federal offices have closed, and airports are experiencing numerous cancellations.
Millions of people are under winter storm advisories, with hundreds of thousands left without power as the storm extends from southern Illinois to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Heavy snowfall is expected, with rates of 1-2 inches per hour during the morning commute following the holiday season, as warned by AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
The nation’s capital and Baltimore are projected to receive 6 to 12 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service, prompting the closure of federal offices in Washington. The snow is expected to persist, with a temporary break in the late morning followed by more snow into the evening, alongside cold temperatures and gusty winds throughout the week.
Governors in various states, including Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, have declared states of emergency in anticipation of the storm’s impact. Intense snowfall rates could lead to challenging road conditions and potential traffic incidents, as observed in previous severe weather events.
Residents in Washington, D.C., such as Grace Lowe in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, are bracing for the heavy snowfall, with many out early to clear sidewalks and enjoy the wintry weather. Snow accumulation has been reported as far south as Virginia and Kentucky and as far north as central Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey, affecting roadways and prompting closures across several states.
The storm has caused power outages affecting over 340,000 homes and businesses in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to take precautions due to the challenging conditions.
A widespread power outage hit the United States on Sunday, prompting utilities to scramble to restore services while facing significant challenges from the severe winter storm. According to a USA TODAY outage tracker, more than 85,000 outages were reported in Kentucky alone. Kentucky Power took to social media to assure customers that they were closely monitoring and assessing the impacts of the storm, with crews diligently working to shift customers to alternative power sources.
In a statement, Kentucky Power stated, “Our crews are working tirelessly to switch customers to different power sources where they can. Hundreds of line technicians, assessors, and safety personnel are ready to tackle the restoration work ahead. We WILL get everyone’s power on as soon as we can!”
Meanwhile, in Virginia, Dominion Energy reported over 110,000 homes and businesses without power. Spokesperson Aaron Ruby stated that the company had deployed multiple crews and bucket trucks across Western, Central, Southside, and Northern Virginia, with plans to bring on additional crews as needed.
The storm also wreaked havoc on the roads, with numerous crashes leading to traffic congestion on highways in Kentucky. Louisville Emergency Services received hundreds of calls for assistance, while State Police reported a collision involving Trooper Landon Key in Hart County, south of Louisville. Despite the challenges, emergency responders and utility crews remained dedicated to their tasks.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport experienced a record-breaking snowfall of over 7 inches as the storm passed through on Sunday. The National Weather Service in Louisville warned of an additional 1-3 inches of snowfall expected on Monday morning. Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to stay indoors and allow crews to clear the roads.
Meteorologists predicted the storm to subside by Monday afternoon, but frigid temperatures were expected to persist through the weekend. The inclement weather disrupted air travel as well, with FlightAware tracking over 3,000 delayed or canceled flights across the U.S. by early morning. Airports in Washington D.C. and Baltimore reported significant cancellations, while Chicago O’Hare International Airport experienced delays averaging 48 minutes.
The impact of the winter storm extended beyond power outages and travel disruptions, prompting the closure of hundreds of schools from Illinois to Washington, D.C. Public schools in Washington and surrounding states remained shuttered as snowfall intensified and temperatures plummeted below freezing levels. In Ohio, Cincinnati Public Schools closed on Monday due to ongoing snowfall, while school districts in Missouri and Kentucky followed suit as hazardous conditions persisted.
As the East Coast grappled with the aftermath of the winter storm, residents and authorities alike worked together to ensure safety and minimize disruption to daily life. The resilience and dedication of utility workers, emergency responders, and school officials were evident as they navigated the challenges brought on by the inclement weather.
Contributors to this article include John Bacon and Thao Nguyen.
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