Over the weekend, a significant ice storm wreaked havoc on Iowa and eastern Nebraska, causing dangerous driving conditions and leading to the temporary closure of Interstate 80 due to multiple accidents.
The storm, which hit Friday evening, resulted in the cancellation of numerous events in the region. Businesses announced delayed openings on Saturday as officials advised people to stay home if possible. Fortunately, temperatures rose in the afternoon, causing the ice to melt in most areas.
According to meteorologist Dave Cousins from the National Weather Service, warmer air moving in behind the storm provided temporary relief.
Tragically, one person lost their life in a crash on icy roads in eastern Nebraska. The Washington County Sheriff’s office reported that a 57-year-old woman died after her pickup skidded on Highway 30 near Arlington and collided with another truck. The other driver sustained minor injuries.
Elsewhere, a storm accompanied by wind gusts of up to 60 mph led to the first tornado warning in San Francisco. The Weather Service reported damage in parts of San Mateo County as well. The storm caused trees to fall on cars and streets and damaged some roofs in San Francisco, marking the first tornado warning in the city since 2005.
In upstate New York, residents were digging out from heavy snowfall, with reports of over 33 inches near Orchard Park. Meanwhile, Nevada braced for up to 3 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountaintops, prompting a winter storm warning.
Interstate 80 was closed for an 80-mile stretch in California and Nevada. In western Washington, tens of thousands of residents experienced power outages due to rain and strong winds.
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Associated Press reporters Julie Walker in New York, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed.
