Severe Winter in the U.S. Causes School and Government Office Closures
Washington, January 6: A severe winter storm with snow, ice, strong winds, and plummeting temperatures has created hazardous travel conditions from the central and southern regions of the United States to the East Coast. The storm, which began early Monday, has prompted the closure of schools and government offices in several states.
Major roads in Kansas, western Nebraska, and Indiana have been blanketed with snow and ice. The National Guard has been deployed in Indiana to assist stranded motorists. Up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow is expected, along with gusty winds reaching 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour).
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri all the way to New Jersey. "For the areas receiving the highest snowfall, this could be the heaviest in at least a decade," the service reported.
Impact on Daily Life
In Missouri, resident Gary Wright donned a parka as he chipped away at thick ice on his SUV. Although he plans to work remotely on Monday, he used the opportunity to spend some time in the snow. He is also searching for boots for their older dogs, who refuse to move when their paws touch the cold ground.
School and Government Office Closures
Several districts in Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky began announcing school closures and delays on Sunday. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes, extracurricular activities, and sports for nearly 100,000 students.
In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and announced that the state government would be closed on Monday.
Dangerous Roads
In Missouri, at least 600 motorists were stranded over the weekend. Hundreds of car accidents were reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and announced the closure of government buildings on Monday.
Forecast for Snow and Wind
In Indiana, several major highways were completely covered with snow. Indiana State Police urged people to stay off the roads, as snow was falling so quickly that plowed roads were covered again within half an hour.
Disrupted Air and Rail Travel
The winter storm has disrupted passenger rail services, with over 20 cancellations on Sunday and around 40 more planned for Monday. More than 200 flights in and out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport were canceled.
