A significant winter storm, bringing snow, ice, wind, and declining temperatures, impacted travel conditions from the central and southern states to the East Coast early Monday. This severe weather led to the closure of schools and government offices across multiple states.
Over the weekend, emergency services reported that at least 600 drivers were stranded in Missouri. Additionally, a surge of car accidents was recorded in states such as Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky.
Flight delays and cancellations are a common consequence of winter weather. While airlines do not have control over weather conditions, U.S. regulations require them to issue refunds to passengers whose flights are canceled.
The latest information indicates that in Richmond, Virginia, a boil-water advisory has been issued due to a malfunction in the city’s water system, which was affected by power outages related to the storm. Local officials have warned the population of over 200,000 to avoid using tap water without boiling it first and to conserve water. Mayor Danny Avula emphasized that restoring the water system is the top priority for the city.
In Kansas, the highway patrol reported nearly 200 accidents from Saturday morning to Monday morning, with two of these resulting in fatalities. Governor Laura Kelly announced the closure of state offices in the Topeka area through Tuesday, urging residents to exercise caution on hazardous roads despite progress made by road crews.
The winter storm has also impacted North Carolina, where a driver was killed on an icy overpass. Authorities reported other weather-related fatalities in Virginia and West Virginia, as harsh conditions led to numerous accidents across several states, including the aforementioned regions.
In West Virginia, a tragic collision involved a driver losing control and subsequently getting struck by a tractor-trailer, leading to another life lost related to storm conditions.
Kansas has reopened its interstates but has advised motorists to remain cautious due to persistent icy patches. The final part of Interstate 70, closed because of blizzard conditions, has been reopened, but authorities recommend driving slowly.
Conversely, on the West Coast, a different weather threat looms. Forecasters warn of potentially dangerous dry conditions conducive to wildfires in Southern California, as humidity levels are expected to drop and winds intensify.
In a notable change to typical protocol, President Biden’s trip to New Orleans and Los Angeles commenced inside a hangar due to the storm. Air Force One was protected from snowfall, and media were barred from capturing images of his boarding due to security policies.
In Maryland, state troopers reported responding to approximately 475 calls for service, including numerous vehicle accidents since the storm began. Meanwhile, Olympic athlete Clare Egan capitalized on the snowy weather by cross-country skiing on the National Mall, enjoying the unexpected opportunity amidst the heavy snowfall.
As power lines came down in eastern Kentucky due to ice-laden trees, about half of the electric customers in Magoffin County faced outages at one point. Although crews worked tirelessly to clear roads and restore power, many were still without service as of midday Monday.
The winter storm caused disruptions to flights nationwide, especially around Washington, D.C., where over 800 flights were either canceled or delayed. Areas such as Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Chicago O’Hare also experienced significant impacts.
A Kentucky truck stop became congested as drivers sought refuge from the hazardous conditions on the interstate, as multiple vehicles were reported stranded in the inclement weather.
In Indiana, the state police reported over 250 accidents related to the storm, while Virginia also experienced a surge of crashes, resulting in injuries and at least one death.
Amid the snow-induced disruptions, President Biden made slight adjustments to his travel itinerary, opting for a drive to the airbase instead of his usual helicopter ride to avoid the severe weather conditions.
In Texas, authorities issued warnings about plummeting temperatures, with forecasts predicting that major cities could dip below 30°F. Nonetheless, energy grid operators assured residents that conditions would remain stable despite the increased demand for electricity.
The Biden administration is actively monitoring the winter storm situation, with designated officials in contact with state and local authorities to offer necessary assistance. Residents affected by the weather have been urged to heed local advisories.
In Kentucky, safety remarks were issued as the governor informed the public of a trooper’s recovery from a vehicle collision while responding to an accident amid the winter storm. In another community-focused effort, thoroughbreds at Calumet Farm were kept safe indoors while avoiding the hazardous icy pastures.
As the weather worsened, public health departments in Indianapolis were temporarily closed due to the storm, and travel advisories were issued across Indiana. Notably, schools in Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Maryland began shutting down as conditions deteriorated. Maryland’s governor emphasized the priority of community safety in his communications regarding the weather crisis.
