WASHINGTON — Residents across the DMV woke up Friday to cold temperatures and messy weather with rain turning into snow as Arctic air rushed in. The combination led to power outages across the region and traffic issues ahead of the holiday weekend.
Friday night is expected to bring even colder temperatures, with some areas ending up in the single digits and wind chills hovering around zero.
WUSA9 Meteorologist Kaitlyn McGrath says temperatures will remain below freezing until Monday.
Check out how Friday's storm impacted D.C., Maryland, and Virginia below.
Power Outages:
As of 10:30 p.m., Pepco's outage map showed more than 9,000 customers were without power; the majority of residents impacted were in Montgomery County with more than 8,000 outages; D.C. reported around 120 and Prince George's County had around 57 outages.
According to Dominion Energy's power outage map, nearly 4,000 Northern Virginians were without power; Loudoun and Fairfax saw the highest numbers of outages.
Damages:
At least six reports of fallen trees came in from Montgomery County officials, with minor structural damage done to homes.
In one incident, a man was killed while driving in Frederick County when a tree fell on his car, according to Maryland State Police.
Residents were blocked by debris in one home. In another incident on Beallsville Rd. near Jerusalem Road in Poolesville, a toppled tree damaged a utility pole and downed wires.
It is important to know how to prepare and stay safe during severe weather. There are several ways you can make sure you are ready.
- High winds regularly down trees and heavy branches in the DMV region, so avoid standing or walking under tree canopies.
- Be supplied: Have medical equipment, medical supplies or any critical medications on hand and enough for 5-7 days.
- Figure out how and where everyone will meet up with each other if you get separated.
- Sign up for text alerts/weather warnings that may be offered by your locality.
- Secure garbage cans, lawn furniture or anything that could cause damage.
Traffic Alerts:
Winter weather conditions can be a dangerous time on the road for drivers. Storms, bad weather and messy road conditions are a factor in nearly 500,000 crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
- River Road and Harrell Road in Stafford County, Virginia are both currently closed due to flooding.
- An incident on I-495 inner loop at Exit 31B in Maryland has caused traffic to the right lane to close.
- In Howard County, all lanes are closed in both directions on MD 108 past Hall Shop road due to down wires.
- River Creek Parkway in Leesburg is closed between Belleville Drive and Teaberry Drive due to flooding on the roadway.
- 1200-1300 Blocks of Franklin Street, NE, D.C. blocked, due to a tree and power line down; police are on scene.
- Traffic is blocked in both directions at 830 Ridge Road SE due to a downed tree.
- The right two lanes on SB 395 before exit 10C will stay closed for the rest of the day due to a crash impacting the pedestrian bridge and guard railing, requiring repairs.
- Route 197 is closed in both directions after a dump truck, with a raised bed, took down power lines at Route 197 and Van Dusen Friday afternoon.
- Amtrak is experiencing several delays and cancellations as of Friday evening.
This story will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
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