On February 11 (local time), a major snowstorm covered many states in the US, causing a series of traffic incidents, forcing schools and government offices to close, and raising concerns about the risk of widespread power outages.
Some areas of Virginia and West Virginia saw as much as 10 inches (25 cm) of snow, according to the National Weather Service. The heavy snow and ice accumulations not only made roads slippery, but also threatened the safety of power lines and trees.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, ordering schools and government offices to close on February 11. About 65 National Guard troops were mobilized to assist with the storm response, along with specialized vehicles and rescue helicopters to ensure smooth traffic.
In southern West Virginia, rescue crews have been responding to a series of accidents involving snow-covered tractor-trailers on major highways, causing major traffic disruptions.
Virginia State Police also reported dozens of accidents, injuring at least four people. Meanwhile, many schools in Baltimore, Maryland, dismissed students early to avoid traffic congestion and ensure safety.
Winter storm warnings have been issued from Kentucky in the southeast to New Jersey in the northeast, with snow and ice expected to begin melting as temperatures rise slightly on February 12.
However, the severe weather is not over yet, as another round of storms is expected to hit the Midwest from Kansas and extend into the Great Lakes region. Due to the severe weather conditions, Kansas state officials canceled meetings scheduled for February 12 and temporarily closed state offices in the city of Topeka.
In Detroit, Michigan, temperatures dropped to minus 11 degrees Celsius, with two children under the age of 10 believed to have died from the cold after being found in a minivan parked in a casino parking lot on February 10. In Butte, Montana, temperatures even dropped to minus 35 degrees Celsius, due to the influence of a cold air mass from the Arctic.
The forecast also calls for snow in Washington state on the afternoon of February 11. The state’s Office of Personnel Management has advised employees to return home earlier than usual to avoid being stranded by the storm. In Multnomah County, Oregon, local authorities have extended a state of emergency until at least February 13 to deal with unpredictable weather developments.
The US Department of Transportation recommends that people limit travel by personal vehicles unless absolutely necessary, to ensure safety and reduce the burden on rescue forces trying to handle emergency situations.
