Utility crews are in a race against time to restore electricity to thousands of customers in Wisconsin, following a powerful weekend storm that battered the Great Lakes region with heavy snow and toppled power lines.
Travel Chaos in the Midwest
The severe weather caused significant travel disruption across the Midwest. The airport in Des Moines, Iowa, remained closed on Sunday morning, a critical travel day as people returned home after the Thanksgiving holiday. The closure was prompted by an incident on Saturday night, where a Delta Connection flight arriving from Detroit slid off an icy runway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely transported to the terminal by bus.
Elsewhere in Iowa, the National Weather Service warned that gusty winds were blowing snow back onto roadways, creating prolonged and hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
Widespread Power Failures and Religious Cancellations
In Wisconsin, the energy provider We Energies reported more than 6,000 power outages, with over half of those affected located in the Milwaukee and South Milwaukee areas. The impact on residents was immediate. Mark Paladino, a local from Fredonia, described on Facebook how he lost power at his apartment complex while shovelling snow on Sunday. Others reported seeing power lines sagging dangerously under the weight of heavy, wet snow.
The storm's reach extended into western Michigan, where hundreds of churches instructed worshippers to stay home or watch services online as a safety precaution. Areas near Lake Michigan have seen significant accumulation, with up to 12 inches (approximately 30 centimetres) of snow falling since Saturday.
Weather Outlook for the Northeast
As the system moves east, the weather service has indicated that the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions should expect a wintry mix of rain and snow. However, any substantial snow accumulations are likely to be confined to higher elevations, offering some respite for more populated, lower-lying areas.
