A massive winter storm that contributed to at least nine deaths in the Midwest is pummeling the mid-Atlantic region for a second day. The storm is bringing snow, freezing rain and power outages.
More than 240,000 people were without power Sunday across North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas and Virginia.
The National Weather Service reported close to a half-inch of ice in some sections of western North Carolina, leading to fallen trees and power lines. The remainder of the state received mostly a cold rain or freezing precipitation that caused few problems.
By late Sunday afternoon, the Washington, D.C. metro area, northern Virginia and parts of Maryland had total snowfall accumulations ranging from five to eight inches. Central Virginia, including Richmond, had much smaller accumulations — as little as one inch, but the snow was followed by hours of sleet and freezing rain.
Virginia State Police said they responded to more than 230 traffic crashes and helped more than 100 disabled vehicles in Virginia from midnight to noon Sunday.
Mid-Atlantic power outages
Here are the latest power outage numbers across the mid-Atlantic, according to local utility companies.
North Carolina: 98,335
Missouri: 68,043
Kansas: 22,096
Virginia: 25,066
North Carolina governor declares state of emergency
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Sunday after tens of thousands were still without power following a winter storm that rocked the state, CBS Raleigh affiliate WNCN reports.
In a statement, Cooper said nearly 1,000 state workers were clearing snow and ice in western parts of the state as well as counties along the Virginia border.
Winter storm warning lifted in Indiana
The National Weather Service has lifted a winter storm warning in central Indiana after more than 7 inches of weekend snow. Some Indiana sheriffs say drifting snow has closed roads. Many vehicles remain stuck from Saturday.
In Ripley County, the sheriff’s office urged residents to stick to essential driving only on Sunday. Indiana State Police say dispatchers in the Lowell district handled more than 650 calls Saturday. Troopers in the district responded to at least 10 personal-injury crashes and 52 property-damage crashes on interstates.
Sgt. John Perrine says drivers need to slow down in bad weather. He says snow doesn’t carry liability insurance — because a crash isn’t the fault of snow.
Man fatally shot dead while shoveling snow in Baltimore
Baltimore police are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning Sunday. Officers responded to the shooting scene at 4:40 a.m. where they found a 43-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his shoulder and head, CBS Baltimore reports.
He was taken to an area hospital where he died. The initial investigation reveals the man was outside shoveling snow when he was fatally shot.Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2100.
Power restored to Missouri residents
Utilities in central Missouri are reporting that power has been restored to most customers in the region. Columbia Power & Light said fewer than 1,000 customers remained without power as of Sunday afternoon.
More than 8,000 residents had been without power on Saturday, CBS affiliate KRCG reported.
The city announced Sunday that the American Red Cross would be opening a shelter Sunday evening.
Winter storm warning extended in New Jersey
The National Weather Service has expanded its winter storm warning to Atlantic and Cape May counties, where officials say 5 to 7 inches of snow is expected. Forecasters say a brief period of mixing to sleet and rain may occur Sunday evening before precipitation changes back to snow before ending late Sunday night.
The winter storm warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Monday. Forecasters expect several inches of snow elsewhere in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania before the storm ends. They are warning of possible travel difficulties due to snow-covered and slippery roads.
