A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and freezing rain across the eastern U.S., affecting states from Kentucky to Maryland. The storm caused hundreds of accidents, widespread power outages, and flight disruptions. Virginia saw the highest snowfall, with Iron Gate receiving 14 inches and White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia getting 12 inches. More than 190,000 customers in Virginia and 16,000 in North Carolina lost power, with thousands of workers deployed to restore electricity. Airports in the region recorded several inches of snowfall, leading to nearly 7,000 flight cancellations and delays, including almost 300 at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., remained closed for a second consecutive day.
The winter storm transitioned into rain as temperatures rose on Wednesday, raising concerns about flooding. The National Weather Service warned of flood risks from eastern Tennessee to southwestern Virginia due to melting snow and additional rainfall. Officials monitored rivers and streams, anticipating potential overflow.
In Kentucky, a snow-related head-on collision in Nelson County resulted in one fatality. Virginia State Police reported approximately 850 crashes, some with injuries, while Maryland authorities recorded 235 accidents. West Virginia also experienced highway closures due to multiple crashes.
A separate storm system moved westward, bringing heavy snow from Oklahoma to the Great Lakes. Government offices and universities in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa closed due to hazardous conditions. In Missouri, GoJet Airlines Flight 4427 slid off an icy taxiway at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. No injuries were reported, but the runway was temporarily closed.
On the West Coast, Oregon extended a state of emergency, with six emergency shelters accommodating hundreds of people. An ice storm in Portland threatened Valentine’s Day flower deliveries, though local businesses remained hopeful.
Meanwhile, California prepared for an atmospheric river event, which could lead to flooding in areas recently impacted by wildfires. Authorities in Orange County issued voluntary evacuation warnings for Trabuco Canyon and other affected areas, anticipating potential debris flows. Over 10,000 power outages were reported as light rain began falling on Wednesday.
