Ice storm topples hundreds of trees, causing power outages in central Virginia, U.S.
A severe ice storm hit the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Piedmont region of central Virginia on Thursday, February 6, 2025, causing damage, road blockages, and power outages due to falling trees. Freezing rain accumulations in Madison County ranged from 4 to 11 mm (0.15 to 0.45 inches).
The ice storm was part of a broader winter weather system affecting multiple states including West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
A rare meteorological phenomenon, “thunder ice,” was observed in several areas, where flashes of lightning accompanied freezing rain.
Flooding was also reported in parts of West Virginia and Kentucky, with some creeks overflowing and prompting rescues of stranded drivers. The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association sought emergency fosters for 15 dogs as rising waters threatened their shelter.
The NWS confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 150 km/h (95 mph) briefly touched down in Hart County, Kentucky, causing structural damage. Later in the evening, severe storms moved into eastern Tennessee, leaving at least 2 people dead and three injured.
In the Mid-Atlantic region, ice-covered trees and power lines raised concerns over potential outages though most areas saw minimal disruptions before temperatures rose later in the day. New England schools closed or delayed classes in response to forecasts of several inches of snow, with Maine seeing over 200 closures.
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References:
1 Winter storms bring flooding and ‘thunder ice’ in several US states – AP – February 7, 2025
Featured image: Ice-laden trees collapsing under the weight of accumulated freezing rain in central Virginia. Credit: Live Storms Media
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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