A monstrous winter storm, now named Winter Storm Blair, is unleashing its deadly fury across a large swath of the United States. From the Central Plains to the Eastern Seaboard, millions are in the grip of heavy snow, ice, and bone-chilling temperatures that have turned deadly.
Deadly Trail of Destruction
As Blair barrels across the country, it is leaving a path of devastation in its wake. Tragically, at least four fatalities have already been attributed to the storm’s hazardous conditions:
- Two killed in Kansas car crash on snow-covered roads
- One weather-related death reported in Missouri
- Pedestrian struck and killed by snowplow in Pennsylvania
Officials fear the death toll may rise as the storm continues to batter the nation with unrelenting force.
Hundreds of Thousands Plunged into Darkness
The fierce winds and heavy ice accumulations of Winter Storm Blair have downed power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands shivering in the dark without electricity. Poweroutage.us reports staggering numbers of customers affected:
- Over 100,000 outages in Virginia
- Nearly 90,000 without power in Kentucky
- 50,000 impacted in Indiana
- Combined 95,000 outages across West Virginia and Illinois
Utility crews are working around the clock to restore power, but with the storm still raging, many may remain in the dark as temperatures continue to plummet.
Travel Mayhem from Coast to Coast
Blair’s relentless onslaught has turned roads into treacherous ice rinks, leading to massive pileups and stranded motorists. Missouri State Highway Patrol alone has responded to over 300 crashes, with many other states reporting similar chaos on the highways.
Air travel has also ground to a halt, with more than 1,000 flights canceled across the US this morning. Major hubs like Washington DC’s Reagan National and Chicago’s O’Hare International are experiencing the brunt of the disruptions.
Travel could be impossible…the hazardous conditions will affect the Monday morning and evening commutes.
– National Weather Service warning for Kentucky
“Historic” Snowfall Totals and Arctic Blast
Meteorologists are calling Blair a “once-in-a-decade” storm due to the astonishing snowfall totals being recorded. Parts of New England could see over two feet of snow before the storm winds down, with widespread totals over a foot expected.
And as if the snow wasn’t enough, Blair is ushering in an arctic blast that will keep temperatures well below freezing for days to come. Wind chills as low as -30°F will make it downright dangerous to be outdoors.
State of Emergency Declared, Worst Yet to Come?
A state of emergency has been declared in seven states so far, with several governors deploying the National Guard to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. But officials warn the worst may be yet to come as Blair continues on its slow march across the country.
Govornors are pleading with residents to stay home and off the roads to allow plows to clear the way and emergency crews to reach those in need. Even the White House is bracing for impact, with plans still on for the president to travel to hard-hit areas once the storm passes.
As Blair rages on through this holiday weekend and into the coming days, the entire nation is holding its breath, hoping and praying for relief from this catastrophic winter storm. In the meantime, bundle up, stay safe, and be sure to check on your neighbors – we’re all in this together.
