Winter Storm Blair Leaves Five Dead and Disrupts Life Across the US

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:08:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A severe winter storm has brought chaos and danger across multiple states, causing fatalities, flight cancellations, and power outages.

As Winter Storm Blair continues to wreak havoc throughout the United States, at least five lives have been lost, with numerous states declaring emergencies. The storm has resulted in significant school closures and travel disruptions, casting a shadow over holiday plans as extreme weather persists.

A massive winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Blair, has claimed at least five lives as it wreaks havoc across vast regions of the United States, leading to widespread school closures, travel disruptions, and power outages. States such as Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas have declared emergencies in response to the icy conditions brought about by the polar vortex.

The storm's impact has been severe, with more than 2,000 flights cancelled and approximately 6,500 delays reported as heavy snowfall continues to blanket much of the East Coast. By Monday afternoon, over a quarter of a million residents were left without electricity as snowfall is expected to persist throughout the night.

In Washington, D.C., where the federal government and local schools suspended operations, 5 to 9 inches (13-23 cm) of snow blanketed the area, with some nearby regions in Maryland and Virginia receiving up to a foot. In a festive display of community spirit, hundreds of D.C. residents engaged in a lively snowball fight, a beloved local tradition. Former Olympic skier Clare Egan was spotted enjoying the snow on the National Mall, remarking on the unexpected return to her skiing days.

The hazardous weather has caused treacherous road conditions, particularly in Missouri, where authorities reported over 365 accidents on Sunday, resulting in multiple injuries and at least one death. Kansas has also felt the brunt of the storm, with local news reporting two fatalities stemming from car crashes during the extreme weather. In Texas, a man was found dead from the cold at a bus stop, underscoring the storm's deadly reach.

Reports from Virginia indicate over 300 vehicle crashes as authorities urged residents to refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary. Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist at MyRadar, stated that some areas near the Ohio River have become hazardous, likening roads to "skating rinks."

As the storm continues to unfold, Poweroutage.us reports that more than 260,000 individuals remain without power across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. With Arctic air lingering, forecasters anticipate more treacherous conditions ahead, keeping communities on high alert.