A severe winter storm has begun to wreak havoc across the central United States, with significant impacts expected as it moves eastward.
Road conditions in the central U.S. have rapidly deteriorated due to a mix of snow, ice, and plummeting temperatures. Meteorologists warn that this hazardous weather will extend into eastern regions in the coming days. Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service, commented, “Winter returned,” as the storm progressed eastward.
By Saturday evening, intense snowfall was predicted from central Kansas to Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, where up to 8 inches of snow was expected. In anticipation of these conditions, part of the interstate was closed in central Kansas by Saturday afternoon.
The Ohio Valley is bracing for significant travel disruptions as the storm continues its path into the Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday and Monday. Even Florida is expected to experience a rare hard freeze, signaling the widespread impact of this weather system.
In Kansas, the storm’s arrival quickly led to multiple vehicular accidents. Overturned fire trucks, tractor-trailers, and passenger cars were reported west of Salina. Trooper Ben Gardner of the Kansas Highway Patrol shared footage of his boots slipping on icy roads, akin to an ice rink, underscoring the dangerous conditions. In Wichita, freezing rain led to numerous crashes, pushing authorities to advise residents to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary.
Missouri’s Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency, emphasizing the perilous travel conditions due to potential whiteouts. Warnings were also issued about the risk of being stranded during the storm. Preparations included residents stocking up on essentials and warming centers being set up in churches and libraries. The Missouri Department of Transportation advised, “Get where you’re going now & stay put.” Meanwhile, in Kansas City, several businesses shut down temporarily, and the suburban Independence school district considered canceling classes.
Though temperatures in the Midwest didn’t break historical records, they hovered in the teens in Chicago and plunged to 14 below zero in International Falls, Minnesota, demonstrating the cold’s severity. Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin also declared a state of emergency as the storm approached, highlighting potential disruptions to the state’s special elections.
Further south, in Louisiana, teams raced against time to locate a manatee in Lake Pontchartrain before the frigid weather arrived. Manatees, although common in the area during warmer months, are vulnerable to cold stress when temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Gabriella Harlamert from the Audubon Aquarium emphasized, “We are doing everything we can to get our hands on this animal.”
As the storm continues its eastward march, residents and authorities across affected regions are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for ongoing disruptions in travel and daily activities.
Source: News4jax
