A deadly winter storm has swept across a vast region of the United States, claiming at least five lives and causing widespread disruption. Winter Storm Blair has brought treacherous conditions, prompting the declaration of states of emergency in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
The storm, driven by a polar vortex, has resulted in over 2,300 flight cancellations and nearly 9,000 delays. More than 200,000 households were left without power as snow and freezing temperatures enveloped much of the nation, according to Poweroutage.us.
In Washington, DC, up to nine inches of snow fell on Monday, forcing the closure of schools and businesses. Local residents gathered near the Washington Monument for a snowball fight, a light-hearted tradition now in its 15th year. Meanwhile, former Olympic skier Clare Egan seized the opportunity to cross-country ski on the National Mall, reminiscing about her competitive days.
While the snowfall is expected to subside, Arctic air will likely keep temperatures dangerously low for weeks, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Snow and ice have turned roads into deadly hazards, especially in the Midwest. Missouri reported 365 crashes on Sunday alone, leaving dozens injured and one person dead. In Kansas, two people lost their lives in a car accident during the storm, while Virginia saw over 300 car crashes, including one fatal incident.
In Texas, the storm’s chilling grip claimed the life of a person found at a bus stop in Houston.
The storm has wreaked havoc on transportation and school schedules, with children in affected states enjoying an unexpected snow day as schools remained closed. Kansas City witnessed its heaviest snowfall in 32 years, according to meteorologist Matthew Cappucci. Icy conditions near the Ohio River turned roads into “skating rinks,” paralyzing both ploughs and emergency services.
Cappucci urged residents to stay indoors, warning, “The ploughs are getting stuck, the police are getting stuck—stay home.”
As Winter Storm Blair’s impact continues to unfold, authorities are emphasizing caution and advising against non-essential travel to mitigate further casualties and accidents.
