US winter storm leaves five dead, paralyzes nation with snow, ice
A massive winter storm has claimed at least five lives as it wreaks havoc across much of the United States, causing widespread school closures, power outages, and travel disruptions.
A massive winter storm has claimed at least five lives as it wreaks havoc across much of the United States, causing widespread school closures, power outages, and travel disruptions. Seven states—Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas—have declared emergencies as the icy grip of the storm, intensified by a polar vortex, causes chaos.
The storm, dubbed Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel, has grounded more than 2,300 flights and delayed nearly 9,000 others. As of Tuesday morning, approximately 190,000 people were without power, with many regions enduring heavy snow and sleet. The National Weather Service predicts that cold Arctic air will keep conditions icy across large areas of the country for weeks.
In Washington DC, lawmakers had to contend with 5 to 9 inches of snow, while parts of nearby Maryland and Virginia saw up to a foot of snow. Despite the challenges, Washingtonians braved the snow for a snowball fight tradition in front of the Washington Monument. “Just having fun,” one participant said, adding that it was his first snowball fight ever. Former U.S. Olympic skier Clare Egan also took to the snow, cross-country skiing on the National Mall. “I thought my skiing days were maybe behind me,” she remarked.
The storm’s impact reached beyond Washington DC, where children enjoyed an unexpected snow day due to school closures. Dangerous road conditions led to tragedy, including 365 crashes in Missouri on Sunday, with at least one fatality. Kansas, one of the hardest-hit states, saw two deaths in car accidents. In Houston, Texas, a person was found dead from exposure to the cold near a bus stop.
Virginia reported 300 car crashes between midnight and Monday morning, with at least one fatality. Local authorities in the state urged residents to avoid driving, as icy roads made conditions treacherous. Senior meteorologist Matthew Cappucci of MyRadar stated that Kansas City experienced its heaviest snow in 32 years. “The ploughs are getting stuck, the police are getting stuck, everybody’s getting stuck—stay home,” he warned.
As the storm continues to affect the region, authorities are bracing for further challenges and urging residents to stay safe.
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