Washington DC: Several parts of the United States are witnessing a massive winter storm for the past few days. Heavy snow and freezing rain lashed the region throwing the normal life out of gear. At least five people were killed in the Midwest due to hazardous road conditions, reported global news agency AFP.
As of Monday, over 175,000 people from Missouri to Virginia reportedly suffered a power outage. Meanwhile, more than 2,400 flights were cancelled and thousands were delayed, reported AFP citing data from tracking websites Poweroutage.us and FlightAware.
Nearly 70 million people are under a winter weather warning, reported Xinhua news agency. “For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a statement.
According to reports, around 18 8 inches of snowfall was reported in Chapman and St. George, Kansas, as of Monday morning, while over 10 inches of snowfall was reported in Cameron, Missouri, and Mason, West Virginia.
Up to a foot of snow is predicted in Washington by the National Weather Service (NWS). US President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation, according to a White House official. Residents of Washington DC had to wade through snow and slush. Schools were closed in the US capital for a day.
Out of the five people killed, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported two fatalities in different incidents, reported AFP. They were reportedly killed after being struck by sliding vehicles.
Meanwhile, in Kansas, three people were killed. Two people reportedly lost their lives after the vehicle they were travelling in spun out on a highway, reported AFP. Another person was reportedly killed after colliding with an out-of-control tractor-trailer.
Several video clips of vehicles skidding on snowy roads also surfaced online.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged residents to stay at their homes.
The National Weather Service issued a warning that extreme weather could continue on Tuesday, while Amtrak has begun cancelling some Tuesday trains. As per the NWS, thunderstorms could impact southeastern states.
Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia and Maryland authorities have declared states of emergency in the wake of the winter storm.
