NORFOLK, Va. — Authorities have advised residents to avoid traveling on Wednesday in parts of Virginia and North Carolina where a significant snowstorm led to hazardous conditions and numerous accidents. The storm, which moved from the Midwest, affected the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys and came just after the region began recovering from severe flooding that occurred over the weekend.
In Virginia, forecasts indicated the possibility of up to 10 inches (25 cm) of snow along the Atlantic Coast, while eastern North Carolina braced for substantial ice formations. The National Weather Service reported snowfall rates reached as high as 2 inches (5 cm) per hour in areas such as Hampton Roads in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
Meteorologist Alec Butner mentioned that additional snowfall was expected by Thursday morning. Although Norfolk is unlikely to break its all-time record from 1892, which was an astounding 18.6 inches (47.2 cm), totals of around 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) aren’t common in the region.
By late Wednesday afternoon, Virginia State Police had reported around 275 accidents, some resulting in injuries, alongside road closures on portions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh, North Carolina. The airport sector faced major disruptions, with nearly 5,600 flights affected nationwide, including over 400 arrivals and departures at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Simultaneously, a polar vortex pushed frigid temperatures across regions stretching from Montana down to southern Texas.
As snow blanketed Norfolk, grocery stores experienced a rush, with customers scrambling for supplies. College students were spotted hauling kegs of beer from a local store, illustrating the chaotic yet lighthearted atmosphere amidst snowfall. In contrast, the neighborhood of Ghent maintained a tranquil ambiance, disrupted only by the soft footsteps of a small shih tzu named Sasha, enjoying her first experience with significant snow.
Owner Lotfi Hamdi expressed concern about the heavy accumulation, sharing that winter in this coastal city often lacks substantial snowfall. Schools and businesses in the Hampton Roads area shut their doors on Wednesday and may remain closed through the weekend, with operations also reduced at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
In light of the ongoing storm, Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin had previously declared a state of emergency, empowering local agencies to manage crisis situations more effectively. North Carolina’s Governor Josh Stein echoed this sentiment with his emergency declaration, stressing the importance of road safety and potential power outages.
Officials warned of significant ice buildup, particularly in places like Greenville and Goldsboro, which could lead to downed trees and power lines. Over 1,200 workers were mobilized to assist with road clearing efforts across North Carolina.
This severe winter weather followed a previous weekend storm that took the lives of at least 19 individuals, notably in Kentucky where snow accumulation exceeded six inches (15 cm) on Wednesday. Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear lamented the timing, calling it a “snowstorm in the middle of a natural disaster.”
In southern West Virginia, the effects of recent flooding were dire, with three fatalities recorded and significant damage to infrastructure. Local officials described the incoming snowstorm as potentially devastating to ongoing recovery operations.
As temperatures plunged, around 100 million Americans found themselves battling the cold wave. Numerous school districts across Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri canceled classes for an additional day.
A representative for Special Olympics Kansas noted the chilly weather posed challenges, particularly for upcoming fundraising events. They anticipated needing to break ice to conduct polar plunges this weekend.
On Wednesday, Hettinger, North Dakota, reported a frigid low of minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 42 degrees Celsius), while Denver experienced a record-low temperature of minus 6 Fahrenheit (minus 21 Celsius). Meanwhile, areas in Texas faced wind chills that could plummet to minus 2 Fahrenheit (minus 19 degrees Celsius) early Thursday.
Earlier predictions by groundhog Punxsutawney Phil forecasted continued wintry weather over the coming weeks, prompting mixed feelings from local residents wrestling with snowy conditions. While some expressed exasperation, others, like Michele Hunter from Buffalo, New York, viewed this snowfall as minor, reminiscing about the much heavier snowfalls of her hometown that often resulted in navigating through tunnels of snow to access essentials.
Despite the chaos, life seemed to go on for many, with residents adjusting to the unusual weather patterns as they braced themselves for what was to come.
