Snow and freezing rain pummel the mid-Atlantic while California prepares for likely flooding

Winter Storm Batters Appalachia and Mid-Atlantic

A powerful winter storm continues to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic states, causing hazardous travel conditions and widespread disruptions. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Virginia and West Virginia are expected to receive up to 14 inches of snow, with ice accumulations reaching over a third of an inch in some areas. The storm has already caused significant issues, with nearly 12,000 people in Virginia losing power by Tuesday night, as reported by PowerOutage.us.

The Virginia Department of Transportation urged residents to stay off the roads, posting a meme on social media featuring Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz saying, "There’s no place like home," alongside the message. In parts of Baltimore and Washington, snow was falling at a rate of one inch per hour, leading to the closure of all Washington public schools on Wednesday. Appalachian Power, which serves over 1 million customers across West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, has deployed 5,400 workers to restore power.

Meanwhile, about 65 Virginia National Guard soldiers have been stationed along key corridors, including Interstate 95 and State Route 29, to assist with storm response efforts. The treacherous conditions have resulted in hundreds of accidents across the region. In Virginia alone, state police reported 700 accidents and dozens of injuries on Tuesday, though authorities noted that not all incidents could be directly linked to the weather.

California Prepares for Atmospheric River

On the West Coast, California is bracing for a potentially devastating atmospheric river event, a long band of water vapor that can transport moisture from the tropics to more northern regions. Expected to arrive late Wednesday and peak on Thursday, this storm could lead to significant flooding, particularly in areas recently ravaged by wildfires. Heavy snowfall is also expected in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

To prepare for the impending storm, more than 700,000 sandbags have been distributed across central and Southern California, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Meteorologists warn that urban areas could experience severe flooding, complicating recovery efforts in regions still reeling from recent wildfires.

Separate Storm System Brings Snow to Kansas and Beyond

A separate storm system is impacting the Midwest and Great Lakes, with heavy snow expected to blanket an area stretching from Kansas to the Great Lakes. In Kansas, the Legislature canceled Wednesday meetings, and Gov. Laura Kelly closed state offices in Topeka. The storm has already caused hundreds of accidents, including multiple crashes in southern West Virginia that temporarily shut down major highways.

Smith’s Towing and Truck Repair in Greenbrier County reported responding to at least 15 calls, mostly from tractor-trailer drivers who got stuck on icy roads. Dispatcher Kelly Pickles described the conditions: "They just don’t have enough power in their vehicles to get back onto the road due to the icy conditions." Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington, Virginia, closed her store on Tuesday, calling the roads "skating rinks instead of roads" and expressing concern about how the rain following the snow could either improve or worsen conditions.

Bitter Cold Grips the Northwest

As the winter storm continues to batter the East, an Arctic air mass has brought bitterly cold temperatures to the Northwest. In Butte, Montana, temperatures dropped to a frigid minus 31 degrees on Tuesday morning, raising concerns for vulnerable populations. Brayton Erickson, executive director of the Butte Rescue Mission, said advocates for the homeless were distributing sleeping bags, jackets, and other cold-weather gear to those in need. "When it gets this cold, we kind of pull out all the stops," Erickson said.

In Oregon’s Multnomah County, officials extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday, with five emergency shelters opening to provide relief from the cold. The weather service warned that wind chill readings in Portland could dip to as low as 10 degrees by midweek, adding to the misery of an already frigid region.

National Guard and Emergency Services Step Up

The National Guard and emergency services have been working tirelessly to respond to the unfolding weather crisis. In Virginia, approximately 65 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to support storm response efforts, with an additional 20 soldiers and members of the Virginia Defense Force assisting in support roles. Winter storm warnings extend from northwest North Carolina to southern New Jersey, with the snow-and-ice mix expected to transition to rain by Wednesday afternoon as temperatures rise.

The storm’s impact has been felt far beyond Virginia, with the Kansas Legislature canceling meetings and Gov. Laura Kelly closing state offices in Topeka due to the weather. Meanwhile, in southern West Virginia, multiple crashes temporarily shut down major highways, and Smith’s Towing and Truck Repair responded to at least 15 calls from stranded drivers, mostly tractor-trailer drivers stuck on Interstate 64 in Greenbrier County near the Virginia border.

Lingering Challenges and Recovery

As the storm continues to unfold, residents and officials alike are bracing for a long and challenging recovery. The combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, and icy roads has created a perfect storm of hazardous conditions, with schools, government offices, and businesses across multiple states forced to close. In Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, and state police reported 700 accidents and dozens of injuries on Tuesday alone. While the full extent of the damage is still unknown, one thing is clear: the impacts of this winter storm will be felt for days, if not weeks, to come.