Nebraska State Trooper dies in mysterious winter storm as Winter Storm Kingston brings heavy snow from the Midwest to the South and mid-Atlantic. The storm has caused dangerous road conditions, airport delays, and school closures across several states. With at least three deaths linked to the storm, residents are urged to stay safe and prepare for icy conditions ahead. Stay updated with the latest weather information to ensure your safety during this winter storm.
Weather Service offices in North Carolina are cautioning about the risk of freezing rain rates of 0.05 to 0.1 inches per hour this afternoon and evening, particularly for central and eastern North Carolina. The transition line between rain and freezing rain is moving southeastward, nearing the Outer Banks and Wilmington, North Carolina. Emergency managers are reporting weather-related traffic incidents on Interstate 85 and Interstate 95 in northern North Carolina.
Hazardous driving conditions persist in Kansas despite the snow moving on from some areas. The Kansas State Highway Patrol warns of icy spots and continues to respond to crashes. Flight cancellations are soaring due to Winter Storm Kingston affecting a wide region from the South to the East Coast. Various airports, including Charlotte Douglas International and Dallas-Fort Worth International, are experiencing high numbers of cancellations.
Pet owners are advised to consider their dogs’ breed, size, and other factors when allowing them outside in cold temperatures. Amtrak train services are being impacted, with several cancellations south of Washington, D.C. Meteorologist Sara Tonks predicts the heaviest impacts from Winter Storm Kingston this afternoon will be felt in the mid-Atlantic region, with freezing rain, snow, and wintry mix affecting different areas.
Millions of people across the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast are under winter weather alerts, with ice accumulation posing a threat to travel and causing potential power outages. Virginia State Police have responded to numerous crashes since the storm hit, with over 50 incidents reported without any fatalities. Snow continues to spread through Tennessee, Appalachians, Virginia, and North Carolina. Follow the storm’s progress on our maps tracker for the latest updates.
This morning, numerous locations in Montana and North Dakota experienced temperatures of 40 below or colder. Sub-zero temperatures also reached into the Texas Panhandle, with record cold high temperatures expected as far south as parts of the Gulf Coast. In North Carolina, twenty-one counties are under a hazardous weather outlook until 10 a.m. on Thursday, with Wake, Johnston, and Sampson counties also under winter weather warnings.
Survival expert Kevin Estela provides tips on preparing your vehicle for winter conditions, emphasizing the importance of packing adequate clothing, a sleeping bag, snow shovel, lithium battery phone chargers, food, hand warmers, and a first aid kit. He suggests having supplies in your vehicle for worst-case scenarios, similar to how we stockpile our homes.
Kingston has been named the 11th storm of the season, as February marks the peak of winter storm season. The active jet stream riding atop expansive cold air can create consecutive winter storms during this time. Snow has been reported in parts of North Georgia, with slick roads in Dade County and snowfall in areas of Lumpkin, Union, Catoosa, and Whitfield counties.
In Arkansas, road closures, accidents, and stalled vehicles are slowing down traffic, with incidents reported on I-30 and I-40. In Washington, a cold weather emergency has been declared, with shelters open 24 hours a day to provide warmth for those in need. Snow is falling across parts of the South, with significant accumulations in Kansas, southeast Missouri, and Kentucky.
Around Huntsville, Alabama, snow is starting to accumulate in West Virginia and the mountains of North Carolina, with snowfall also seen in the suburbs of D.C. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will be opening at 10 a.m. due to the storm, offering telework options for employees. Only essential workers are permitted on-site before 10 a.m.
Amid frigid temperatures and winter weather, hundreds of public schools in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri have closed or shifted to online learning. North Texas districts are also affected by the extreme cold, resulting in closures and delays in opening.
Major airlines like United, Southwest, and Delta are cautioning passengers about potential delays at airports in Charlotte, Asheville, Richmond, Roanoke, Knoxville, and Tulsa due to inclement weather. Tupelo Police are responding to an 18-wheeler crash on Interstate 22, prompting the closure of a section of the westbound interstate.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is monitoring extreme cold weather conditions in Texas, expecting increased electrical demand while maintaining normal grid conditions. Virginia remains under a State of Emergency as Winter Storm Kingston moves through, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin emphasizing the ongoing emergency declaration issued since Feb. 10.
School closures and remote learning are in effect across North Carolina, including in Wake County, Cumberland County, Franklin County, and others. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a State of Emergency ahead of Winter Storm Kingston, facilitating exemptions for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.
Tragically, one fatality has been reported in a car accident in Hamilton County, Tennessee, attributed to the severe weather conditions.
The Sheriff’s Office of Ton County reported the temporary closure of parts of Highway 58 and Highway 60 in the county’s northern region due to a crash. Winter Storm Kingston is hindering flood response efforts in West Virginia following the weekend floods caused by Winter Storm Jett, resulting in three fatalities. Various shelters are open in the area, providing hot meals to victims. McDowell County Commissioner Michael Brooks expressed concerns about Kingston impeding ongoing relief efforts. In Oklahoma, hospitals received reports of 30 weather-related injuries, including falls and vehicle accidents. Southern Missouri and Kansas experienced temperatures dropping below zero, with wind chills in the teens or 20s below zero. Governor Andy Beshear referred to Kingston’s impact in Kentucky as a “snowstorm in the middle of a natural disaster.” Eggs were scattered on a highway in Oklahoma after a truck crash, with minor injuries reported. North Carolina declared a State of Emergency, activating the National Guard to address power outages and road safety. A woman in Nebraska died in a crash on snowy West Dodge Road, with others injured and transported to the hospital. Oates, Missouri, recorded the highest snow total from Kingston at 11 inches. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper was killed by a snow plow while responding to a crash on Interstate 80. Trooper Kyle McAcy was fatally struck outside his patrol vehicle.
A devoted community servant, a dedicated professional, and above all, a cherished friend to numerous individuals in Omaha and beyond. The impact of his absence is reverberating among a multitude of people. Let us collectively hold his family, friends, colleagues, and community close in our hearts as they navigate through the profound sorrow and grief that this loss has brought upon them.
