US Hit By Massive Winter Storm, Power outages, and Travel disruptions
Massive Winter Storm Impacting the U.S.: A significant winter storm, referred to as Winter Storm Blair, is currently affecting a large swath of the United States, impacting over 60 million people from Kansas to New Jersey. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain, leading to hazardous travel conditions and widespread power outages.
Travel Disruptions: The storm has caused substantial travel disruptions, including over 1,600 flight cancellations and delays across major airports in the affected regions. The Washington D.C. metropolitan area has been particularly hard-hit, with significant cancellations at Reagan National and Baltimore/Washington International airports. Ground travel has also been severely impacted, with many motorists stranded on highways due to snow and ice accumulation.
Power Outages: As of Monday morning, more than 300,000 customers are without power across several states. Virginia has reported the highest number of outages, with approximately 110,000 customers affected. Other states like Kentucky and West Virginia have also seen significant power disruptions due to downed lines and hazardous conditions.
Weather Forecast: The storm is expected to continue moving eastward, bringing additional snowfall and icy conditions into the Mid-Atlantic region. Predictions indicate that areas like Washington D.C. could receive between 6 to 12 inches of snow, potentially marking one of the largest snowfalls in recent years for the capital.
Emergency Declarations: In response to the severe weather conditions, emergency declarations have been issued in several states including Kansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Local authorities are advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay informed about weather updates.
