A major winter storm has brought heavy snow to parts of Virginia and North Carolina, causing dangerous road conditions and hundreds of accidents. Officials are urging people to stay off the roads as many areas are not used to such large amounts of snow.
The storm, which started in the Midwest, moved through Tennessee and Ohio before reaching the East Coast. It also hit areas still recovering from deadly floods over the weekend. Some parts of Virginia’s Atlantic Coast could see up to 10 inches (25 cm) of snow by Thursday, while North Carolina is expected to experience significant ice buildup.
The National Weather Service reported snowfall rates of up to 2 inches (5 cm) per hour in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Meteorologist Alec Butner said Norfolk could get 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) of snow—much less than the city’s 1892 record of 18.6 inches (47.2 cm), but still unusual for the region.
By Wednesday afternoon, Virginia State Police had responded to 275 accidents, including at least two dozen with injuries. Several sections of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh, North Carolina, were also shut down due to crashes.
The storm disrupted air travel as well, with nearly 5,600 flights canceled or delayed across the U.S. More than 400 flights were affected at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
Many residents rushed to stock up on supplies before the worst of the storm hit. In Norfolk, long lines formed in grocery stores, while others braved the snow for last-minute shopping. Meanwhile, schools and businesses across the Hampton Roads region closed, and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard reduced operations.
Virginia remains under a state of emergency from a previous storm, allowing the National Guard and state agencies to assist. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein also declared an emergency, warning that power outages and icy roads were major concerns. Some areas, like Greenville and Goldsboro, could see up to half an inch (1.3 cm) of ice, which may cause tree branches to fall and damage power lines.
The storm follows a weekend of severe flooding that killed at least 19 people, including 14 in Kentucky. More snow in affected areas will slow down recovery efforts.
Along with the snow, a polar vortex has brought bitter cold temperatures from Montana to Texas. Wind chills could drop as low as -2°F (-19°C) in San Antonio, Texas. Meanwhile, North Dakota recorded a low of -45°F (-42°C), and Denver broke a record with -6°F (-21°C).
This brutal winter weather has left many people frustrated, but others, especially those from colder states like New York, see it as minor compared to the heavy snowfalls they’re used to.
