At least five fatalities have been reported as Winter Storm Blair sweeps across the United States, leaving a trail of chaos with school closures, travel disruptions, and significant power outages.
Winter Storm Blair Claims Five Lives and Disrupts Life Across the U.S.
Winter Storm Blair Claims Five Lives and Disrupts Life Across the U.S.
A massive winter storm causes extensive travel disruption and local emergency declarations.
The winter storm has impacted seven states—including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas—where emergency declarations have been made. Over 2,000 flights were cancelled, with a staggering 6,500 delays attributed to the severe weather conditions stemming from the polar vortex, which has brought frigid air typically confined to the North Pole into the lower regions of the U.S.
By Monday afternoon, more than 250,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity, and the harsh winter conditions are expected to linger through the early hours of Tuesday on the East Coast. Snowfall accumulation in Washington, D.C., ranged from 5-9 inches (13-23 cm), with some areas in Maryland and Virginia reporting up to a full foot of snow.
The winter storm prompted a temporary shutdown of federal offices and local schools throughout the Washington, D.C., region. As residents adapted to the wintry conditions, some found solace in outdoor activities; local parks turned into battlegrounds for snowball fights, bringing back a beloved 15-year tradition. "Just having fun," remarked one participant in the snowball fight. Former U.S. Olympic skier Clare Egan took to the National Mall for cross-country skiing, expressing a sense of nostalgia for her athletic days.
In Missouri, the highway patrol reported over 365 car crashes on Sunday alone, leading to multiple injuries and at least one death. Kansas, one of the hardest-hit states, mourned the loss of two individuals in storm-related car accidents. Tragically, another victim was discovered deceased from cold exposure outside a bus stop in Houston, Texas. Virginia faced a series of incidents on the road, with authorities advising residents to stay off the highways to avoid further casualties.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci cautioned against traveling in affected areas, noting Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowfall in three decades. "The ploughs are getting stuck, the police are getting stuck, everybody's getting stuck—stay home," he advised. The widespread power outages were tracked through Poweroutage.us, highlighting the extent of the impact across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia as the storm continued to unleash its fury.
By Monday afternoon, more than 250,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity, and the harsh winter conditions are expected to linger through the early hours of Tuesday on the East Coast. Snowfall accumulation in Washington, D.C., ranged from 5-9 inches (13-23 cm), with some areas in Maryland and Virginia reporting up to a full foot of snow.
The winter storm prompted a temporary shutdown of federal offices and local schools throughout the Washington, D.C., region. As residents adapted to the wintry conditions, some found solace in outdoor activities; local parks turned into battlegrounds for snowball fights, bringing back a beloved 15-year tradition. "Just having fun," remarked one participant in the snowball fight. Former U.S. Olympic skier Clare Egan took to the National Mall for cross-country skiing, expressing a sense of nostalgia for her athletic days.
In Missouri, the highway patrol reported over 365 car crashes on Sunday alone, leading to multiple injuries and at least one death. Kansas, one of the hardest-hit states, mourned the loss of two individuals in storm-related car accidents. Tragically, another victim was discovered deceased from cold exposure outside a bus stop in Houston, Texas. Virginia faced a series of incidents on the road, with authorities advising residents to stay off the highways to avoid further casualties.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci cautioned against traveling in affected areas, noting Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowfall in three decades. "The ploughs are getting stuck, the police are getting stuck, everybody's getting stuck—stay home," he advised. The widespread power outages were tracked through Poweroutage.us, highlighting the extent of the impact across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia as the storm continued to unleash its fury.
