Over 1 500 crashes reported as winter storm claims 4 lives across Nebraska, Tennessee and North Carolina
A powerful winter storm swept across the U.S., causing over 1 500 crashes and claiming four lives in Tennessee, Nebraska, and North Carolina. The storm dumped rare, once-in-a-decade snow on Norfolk and Virginia Beach, where record snowfall piled up through Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
A powerful winter storm swept through much of the southeastern U.S., claiming four lives across three states. It brought heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice accumulations, creating dangerous travel conditions that led to more than 1 500 vehicle crashes.
Two fatalities were reported in Nebraska, including a state trooper. One death was reported in North Carolina, while another fatality occurred in Tennessee.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol reported that 1 000 vehicles crashed on Wednesday, February 19, as the snowstorm moved through the state. One person died in a 50-vehicle crash on the westbound I-40 near Hillsborough. The state had already declared a state of emergency due to the storm on Tuesday, February 18.
A Nebraska state trooper was killed after being struck by a snowplow while responding to a crash on Interstate 80. The crash involved a snowplow and two other vehicles between Ashland and Greenwood on Monday, February 17.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), the trooper was responding to one of 17 crashes and 96 assists on Monday morning. Virginia State Police reported 500 crashes and 45 injuries by 05:00 local time (LT) on Thursday, February 21, with multiple crashes occurring along the I-85 corridor.
The number of crashes across the country is much higher, with reports of crashes across multiple states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.
Reports of crashes and fatalities are expected to rise as more reports come in from the affected states. Travel conditions remain dangerous across much of the southeast, with snow still on the roads and reports of black ice in some states.
Winter storm brings record snow to Virginia
The storm also brought heavy snowfall across multiple states, with Virginia making headlines as both Norfolk and the City of Virginia Beach recorded historic snowfall.
Norfolk broke its previous record daily maximum snowfall on Thursday, recording 25.9 cm (10.2 inches) of snow through Wednesday, surpassing the previous record of 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) for February 19, set in 1989.
Virginia Beach experienced its eighth-heaviest snowfall on record, with reports of 31.8 cm (12.5 inches) of accumulation through Wednesday.
Forecast ahead, as the winter storm exits the Mid-Atlantic Coast
The storm system will continue moving northeast, away from the Mid-Atlantic coast, through Thursday, bringing an end to snowfall in Virginia and North Carolina.
A mass of cold Arctic air will move eastward from the central United States toward the East Coast following the storm. Light snow and snow showers are expected in the central Appalachian region and parts of the Mid-Atlantic states, with some areas in eastern West Virginia possibly receiving several centimeters of snow.
Additionally, lake-effect snowfall will continue into Friday, February 21, particularly around the lower Great Lakes, but temperatures are expected to rise by the weekend.
References:
1 Short Range Public Discussion – NWS/WPC – February 20, 2025
2 Deadly 50-vehicle crash one of many as snow swept through NC on Wednesday – WRAL – February
3 Winter Storm Kingston Updates: 500 Crashes Reported In Virginia; 4 Dead In Tennessee, Nebraska, North Carolina – The Weather Channel – February 20, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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