A powerful winter storm battered the eastern United States on Monday, unleashing heavy snow and freezing rain that disrupted travel for millions and created dangerous conditions across the Midwest, resulting in at least five fatalities.
By Monday afternoon, over 175,000 people were without electricity from Missouri to Virginia, according to data from PowerOutage.us. Meanwhile, FlightAware reported more than 2,400 canceled flights and thousands of delays.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted up to 12 inches of snow in Washington, D.C., where Congress convened to certify Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, coinciding with the four-year anniversary of the Capitol riots that sought to overturn his 2020 defeat.
President Joe Biden, monitoring the severe weather, expressed readiness to assist affected states, according to a White House spokesperson.
Washington, D.C.’s iconic row houses and streets were blanketed in snow, forcing school closures in a city unaccustomed to such conditions. Residents braved slush-covered roads, while emergency crews worked tirelessly to restore order.
Fatalities and Treacherous Roads
The storm’s impact proved deadly, with five storm-related deaths reported so far.
In Missouri, two individuals were struck and killed by separate sliding vehicles after exiting their cars, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The agency also responded to over 1,000 stranded motorists and 356 crashes.
Kansas saw three fatalities: two passengers in a car that spun out on an icy highway and one individual in a collision involving an out-of-control tractor-trailer.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear advised residents to avoid travel. “Remember, this is a significant snow and ice event, so the roadways are still dangerous,” he cautioned.
Video footage from Kansas captured vehicles skidding on icy highways and tractor-trailers jack-knifed on slippery roads.
Widespread Weather Warnings
The NWS warned southeastern states to brace for severe thunderstorms, hail, and potential tornadoes. Areas facing significant ice accumulation could see extensive tree damage and prolonged power outages.
Temperatures were forecasted to plunge, with some regions dropping below zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius). Wind gusts were expected to exacerbate the situation, plunging temperatures to well below seasonal averages, especially along the Gulf Coast.
The Appalachian region faced heightened risks, still reeling from the effects of a deadly hurricane that struck multiple southeastern states, including Kentucky, in late September.
New York and the Great Lakes region also bore the brunt of the storm, experiencing high winds and heavy lake-effect snow, with some areas buried under several feet.
States of Emergency Declared
Several states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, and Maryland, declared emergencies as officials urged residents to stay home. Emergency crews continued clearing roads and addressing the storm’s widespread impact.
Scientists have noted that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe due to human-driven climate change, further complicating the challenges posed by such storms.
