As of Monday night, more than 200,000 people were without electricity in areas affected by the storm, according to Poweroutage.us. The National Weather Service expects snow and sleet to continue affecting much of the northeastern US into Tuesday. Federal offices and local schools in the Washington DC area have also been closed due to the inclement weather. While the recent precipitation is expected to decrease, the threat of enduring Arctic air means icy conditions could persist throughout many regions for weeks to come.
In the capital, snowfall accumulated between 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) with some locations in Maryland and Virginia witnessing up to a foot. Residents have taken to the streets and parks to engage in snowball fights—a long-standing local tradition—reflecting a spirit of community amidst the storm. Former Olympic skier Clare Egan even took to cross-country skiing in the National Mall, noting she'd thought her skiing days were behind her after recently moving to DC.
Besides the fun, the winter storm has caused serious traffic incidents, with Missouri reporting 365 crashes on Sunday and at least one death, as well as several injuries. In Kansas, reports indicated two fatalities from storm-related car accidents, and a person was found dead from exposure in front of a bus stop in Texas. Virginia authorities reported 300 accidents in just a few hours, urging people to stay off the roads where conditions remained perilous.
Experts have noted that Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowfall in 32 years, and emergency services have found it challenging to navigate the impacted regions. The cold snap has turned some locations near the Ohio River into hazardous "skating rinks," underscoring the severity of the situation. Amidst these trials, officials continue to urge residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
In the capital, snowfall accumulated between 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) with some locations in Maryland and Virginia witnessing up to a foot. Residents have taken to the streets and parks to engage in snowball fights—a long-standing local tradition—reflecting a spirit of community amidst the storm. Former Olympic skier Clare Egan even took to cross-country skiing in the National Mall, noting she'd thought her skiing days were behind her after recently moving to DC.
Besides the fun, the winter storm has caused serious traffic incidents, with Missouri reporting 365 crashes on Sunday and at least one death, as well as several injuries. In Kansas, reports indicated two fatalities from storm-related car accidents, and a person was found dead from exposure in front of a bus stop in Texas. Virginia authorities reported 300 accidents in just a few hours, urging people to stay off the roads where conditions remained perilous.
Experts have noted that Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowfall in 32 years, and emergency services have found it challenging to navigate the impacted regions. The cold snap has turned some locations near the Ohio River into hazardous "skating rinks," underscoring the severity of the situation. Amidst these trials, officials continue to urge residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
