Severe Winter Storms Threaten East Coast, California Faces Flood Risks

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — A series of severe winter storms has affected large areas of the eastern United States, while California braces for heavy rainfall this week, prompting flash flood warnings in regions recently charred by wildfires.

Tuesday brought rain, snow, and sleet across a 1,500-mile stretch from the Ohio Valley to New Jersey. Parts of the Appalachians in Virginia and West Virginia reported more than a foot of snow, marking the beginning of a back-to-back series of winter storms that are forecast to continue through the week.

The National Weather Service reported significant snowfall in the Washington, D.C. area, where up to six inches are expected. This winter, D.C. has already received as much snowfall as the previous two winters combined, leading to potential travel disruptions during the afternoon commute.

Snow spread from Kentucky to the Mid-Atlantic, with many regions accumulating three to six inches. By Wednesday morning, additional snowfall is anticipated as the storm system progresses eastward.

Warnings were issued for significant ice accumulation—exceeding a quarter-inch—in parts of West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, where treacherous road conditions are likely. “Ice accumulations could make many roads treacherous and impassable,” the weather service cautioned.

Notably, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency as the state experienced at least 305 crashes, including 24 with reported injuries, according to state police. The Virginia National Guard has mobilized troops to assist with storm response.

In West Virginia and Virginia, several areas recorded impressive snow totals: Iron Gate saw 14.5 inches, while Fairlea reported 13 inches. In contrast, Maryland‘s Dover measured 7.5 inches, and authorities are advising residents to stay off the roads where conditions are hazardous.

Appalachian Power has requested approximately 1,100 workers from various states to help restore electricity as ice and snow cause widespread outages, with utility officials warning that the weight of ice on power lines poses substantial risks.

Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., has recorded 5.9 inches of snow, leading to significant travel disruptions, including 230 flight cancellations on Tuesday alone.

Meanwhile, in Southern California, a severe storm is on the horizon, bringing the risk of flooding to several regions, particularly those affected by past wildfires. The National Weather Service has indicated that areas burned in the Palisades and Eaton fires are under a Level 3 flood risk beginning Thursday.

“Given the elevated chances for significant debris flow from rockslides and mudslides, now is the time to start preparing for these potentially dangerous conditions,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County emergency services have already implemented measures to mitigate risks, including debris basin cleaning and installing sandbags in vulnerable areas. More than 35 million state residents are under flood watch, with local officials advising preparedness for any potential evacuation.

The approaching storm is set to deliver anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain across the Los Angeles basin, and the mountainous regions could see totals nearing 6 inches. The meteorological conditions remain dynamic, with further winter storms expected to sweep across the nation in the coming days, threatening more snowfall and icy conditions in the Midwest and Northeast.

Travelers should remain informed about the weather forecast as conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, leading to hazardous conditions across affected regions.