Killer US storm: 25 dead, 12,000 flights axed, 40 inches of snow
New York/Washington — Deadly storm Jonas killed at least 25 people and caused untold carnage, blanketing America in 40 inches of snow and leaving hundreds of thousands stranded without power.
The blizzard that has paralyzed much of the US East Coast intensified on Saturday, bringing Washington to a standstill and forcing the closure of roads, bridges and tunnels into New York until Sunday morning.
In all, there were at least 25 deaths in several states related to the storm. It ranked No. 3 in terms of snowfall accumulation in New York City history with at least 25.1 inches (63.7 cm), and was among Washington’s biggest too, the National Weather Service said.
The National Weather Service said the winter storm could rank near the top 10 to ever hit the region. NWS meteorologist Paul Kocin compared it to “Snowmageddon,” the first of two storms that “wiped out” Washington in 2010, but he said the weekend timing could help limit deaths and damage.
“It does have the potential to be an extremely dangerous storm that can affect more than 50 million people,” said Louis Uccellini, director of the weather service. The snowfall, expected to continue from late Friday into Sunday, could easily cause more than $1 billion in damage and paralyze the eastern third of the nation, he said.
Schools and government offices were closed, thousands of flights were canceled and millions of people stocked up on supplies. College basketball games and concerts in the region were postponed.
Flight tracking service FlightAware said airlines canceled more than 6,000 flights Friday and Saturday. By Sunday afternoon, airlines hope to be back to full schedule.
Washington’s subway system said it will shut down entirely late Friday night and remain closed through Sunday. About 1,000 track workers will be deployed to keep New York City’s subway system moving and 79 trains will have “scraper shoes” to reduce the icing on the rails.
The federal government closed offices at noon Friday. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama would hunker down at the White House.
The U.S. Capitol Police said sledding on Capitol Hill, which only recently became legal after an act of Congress, would be welcome for the first time in decades.
In Washington, Baltimore, and Delaware, archdioceses reminded people that dangerous travel conditions are a legitimate excuse for missing Sunday Mass.
At a supermarket in Baltimore, Sharon Brewington recalled that in the massive snowstorm of 2010, she and her daughter were stuck at home with nothing but noodles and water.
“I’m not going to make that mistake again,” she said.
