Hazardous Ice Storm Threatens Mid-Atlantic
A dangerous but quiet winter storm is gripping the Mid-Atlantic,
as freezing rain turns roads into nearly invisible sheets of ice.
What appears wet can quickly become slick,
making even short trips risky across Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Meteorologists warn the storm’s biggest threat is how hard the ice is to see.
Roads, sidewalks, and driveways can become almost frictionless,
increasing the chance of crashes and falls. Hilly and rural areas face greater danger,
where small steering moves or missteps can lead to loss of control.
Ice buildup is also stressing power lines and trees, raising the risk of outages.
Emergency crews are on standby, but icy conditions are slowing response times and
causing travel disruptions, including flight delays.
Officials urge residents to stay home, avoid unnecessary travel,
and prepare with supplies while checking on neighbors.
Even as conditions improve, lingering impacts and cleanup are expected.
