A powerful winter storm battered the eastern United States, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain, and widespread power outages from Kentucky to Washington, D.C.
The storm caused hundreds of accidents, flight delays, and school closures while also raising concerns of flooding as temperatures began to rise.
California, meanwhile, is bracing for an atmospheric river that could bring severe flooding to areas already devastated by recent wildfires.
Heavy Snowfall and Widespread Power Outages
The storm system stretched from Kentucky to Maryland, dumping over 14 inches of snow in parts of western Virginia and 12 inches in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
By Wednesday, more than 190,000 customers in Virginia and nearly 16,000 in North Carolina were without power. Appalachian Power deployed more than 5,700 workers to restore electricity across affected areas.
Airports in the region recorded several inches of snow, leading to nearly 7,000 flight cancellations or delays nationwide. Almost 300 flights into Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., were affected.
Rising Temperatures Bring Flood Risks
The mix of snow and ice was expected to turn into rain by Wednesday afternoon, raising concerns about potential flooding.
Meteorologists warned that melting snow combined with heavy rain could cause rivers and streams to overflow, with a flood threat stretching from eastern Tennessee to southwestern Virginia.
Officials in Virginia declared a state of emergency as crews prepared for possible flood rescues.
Deadly Accidents and Road Closures
Treacherous road conditions led to numerous crashes across several states.
In Kentucky, a fatal head-on collision occurred when a driver lost control on a snowy curve and crashed into a semi-truck. Virginia State Police reported 850 crashes in two days, while Maryland saw more than 235 accidents.
Major highways in southern West Virginia were temporarily shut down due to multiple crashes on icy roads.
Storm Extends Across the Midwest and West
Another storm system moved westward, bringing heavy snowfall from Oklahoma to the Great Lakes. Schools and government offices in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa were closed due to hazardous conditions.
In St. Louis, a GoJet Airlines flight slid off an icy taxiway at Lambert International Airport. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers were safely transported back to the terminal.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s Multnomah County extended its state of emergency due to severe winter conditions. Emergency shelters saw more than 350 people seeking refuge from freezing temperatures, which were expected to drop as low as 10 degrees.
California Braces for Torrential Rain
On the West Coast, officials in California issued evacuation warnings for wildfire-scarred areas of Orange County. Authorities fear heavy rains could trigger dangerous debris flows.
Light rain began falling on Wednesday, with more than 10,000 residents already experiencing power outages. Emergency teams are preparing for what could be a major storm in the coming days.
As winter weather wreaks havoc across the country, millions remain on alert for more storms, rising waters, and dangerous road conditions.
