The U.S. got slammed by a nasty snowstorm this week, causing a travel and power nightmare for thousands.
Flights Grounded—Travel Plans in Shambles
Monday, January 6, 2025, was a rough day for travelers. Among them, Washington, D.C., took a big hit, with more than 780 flights axed.
If you had plans to fly through Kansas City International Airport, forget it—they shut down operations entirely over the weekend due to a rapid build-up of ice. Meanwhile, New York and Pennsylvania are buried under snow from the Great Lakes’ lake-effect, with some areas seeing up to 61 cm of snow. That’s nearly two feet!
Power Outages Across the Map
The storm didn’t just mess up travel—it left over 300,000 homes without electricity, mostly in Kentucky and Virginia. Folks in Indiana, West Virginia, and Illinois weren’t spared either, with significant outages reported.
Power lines are snapping, trees are toppling, and roads are turning into ice rinks. Not a good combo when temperatures are already diving way below normal.
What’s the Forecast?
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned this winter storm wasn’t playing around. The worst is pounding places like Virginia, Maryland, D.C., and Delaware. The storm is moving from the Ohio Valley toward the Mid-Atlantic, bringing not just snow but also freezing rain and even thunder.
AccuWeather says some areas could see snow pile up to four feet. Yes, you read that right. Combine that with plummeting temperatures, and you’ve got roads too slick to drive on, downed power lines, and hazardous conditions all around.
States Declare Emergencies
Governors in Missouri and Virginia have already declared states of emergency. They’re all over social media, telling people to stock up and stay safe.
How to Stay Safe
- Skip unnecessary travel. Icy roads are dangerous.
- Stock up on essentials. Make sure you’ve got food, water, and flashlights.
- Charge your devices. Power could go out anytime.
Winter storms like these are no joke. Stay warm, stay safe, and hopefully, things calm down soon!