A winter storm covered parts of the eastern US with heavy snow, disrupting widespread travel and powering more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
The National Weather Service said up to 20 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina early Monday, causing icy roads to create dangerous driving conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds devastated other areas, with some coastal communities at risk of flooding as well as downed trees and power lines.
Snow fell in Buffalo, NY at a rate of more than four inches per hour, and heavy snow was forecast for Monday throughout the Northeast. Impact on New York City was expected to be limited to strong thunderstorms with gusts of 55 mph.
According to poweroutage.us, more than 215,000 power customers were without power as of early Monday, with North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia being the hardest hit. The governors of several states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, declared a state of emergency, activating state resources to respond to the storm.
The Associated Press reported that two people were killed on Sunday when their car slammed into a tree off the road, east of Raleigh, NC. Virginia State Police said they responded to nearly 1,000 traffic incidents as a result of the storm on Sunday. No death was reported.
“If you are able to tonight and tomorrow morning, stay home and off the streets,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on Twitter. Local officials have issued advisories to take precautions and stay safe during power cuts and urged people to stay at home. ,
North Carolina officials were preparing shelter for those without electricity and heat.
The National Weather Service said heavy snow was moving into the Appalachians and the Northeast and is forecast to hit Canada’s southeast on Tuesday. Twenty or more states may be affected, it said. Residents in several areas were urged to be prepared for whitewashed conditions caused by snow blown by strong winds.
According to flight tracker FlightAware.com, more than 1,200 flights in or out of the US were canceled on Monday, after more than 3,000 on Sunday.
The National Weather Service said several tornadoes hit Florida on Sunday.
Snow forecast in Canada prompted officials to close some schools on Monday. Most schools in the US will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day.
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