Kansas and Missouri are under a State of Emergency declaration due to a massive winter storm that has dumped snow and ice throughout the midwest.
Kansas has closed Interstate 70 from Salina to Hayes and Interstate 35 from Emporia to Olathe. The governor has asked residents to stay off the roadways until the end of the storm and has shut all state offices through at least Friday morning. Kansas City International Airport closed Thursday morning after reaching 5 inches of snow.
Missouri driving conditions have reached whiteout levels making driving too dangerous for most of the northern part of the state. Governor Jay Nixon ordered residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary for emergencies. The state legislature ended their week and state offices will be closed at least through Friday morning.
On Interstate 70 in Columbia, Missouri, people have taken to abandoning their cars and are walking on the highway trying to reach shelter.
Nebraska has yet to declare a full statewide emergency but several counties in the state have been placed under snow emergencies. State offices and universities are closed through tomorrow as forecasts now call for at least one foot of snow to blanket the state. Employers have been asked to release workers in waves in an attempt to keep commuters from interfering with snow removal equipment.
Arkansas is facing widespread power outages with at least half an inch of ice throughout the Ozarks. Thunderstorms have dropped half-dollar sized hail on Camden, Arkansas.
Oklahoma has asked residents to stay off the roads due to at least 6 inches of snow on major roadways with icing underneath the snow pack. Thunderstorms and hail are expected throughout the state today.
Ice and snow in Michigan has caused significant highway crashes blocking many major roadways stranding travelers.
The storm has been so widespread that it even covered parts of Arizona with snow. The U.S.-Mexico border near Nogales has 1.2 inches of snow. The PGA Tour’s Accenture match Play Championships had to be postponed due to snow and ice blanketing the golf course.
