Winter storm Gia eyes a 1,500-mile path to dump snow on Midwest

Massive winter storm Gia is predicted to blanket a 1,500-mile stretch of the country as it continues to barrel through the Midwest, causing at least seven death and prompting travel chaos. 

The huge storm struck Kansas and Nebraska on Friday, before moving east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana on Saturday. 

It began to spread east into the Mid-Atlantic region, with between 5 and 10 inches of snow expected in the Washington area, including parts of northern and central Maryland, by Sunday. 

Forecasters said heavy snow could fall in mountain areas, such as Charlottesville and Staunton, Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency on Saturday night to help the state of Virginia prepare. 

Winter Storm Gia has barreled through the Midwest leaving at least seven dead after almost 18 inches of snow caused chaos on the roads

At least seven have been killed and there have been reports of more than 800 crashes, 57 injuries and 1,790 stranded motorists on Missouri's highways

At least seven have been killed and there have been reports of more than 800 crashes, 57 injuries and 1,790 stranded motorists on Missouri’s highways

Missouri had gotten the worst of the storm by Saturday, with the National Weather Service reporting more than a foot of snow Saturday morning in some places around St. Louis and Jefferson City, and more than 18 inches in Columbia. 

In Kansas City, where the Chiefs were hosting the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, about 8 inches of snow had fallen by early afternoon. The snow had tapered off by the time the game started midafternoon, but stadium crews worked for hours before the game to clear the stadium’s lot, field and seats in anticipation of a full house for the playoff game. 

More than 450 flights across the U.S. had been canceled on Sunday morning, according to Flight Aware. Most big airlines were also waiving cancellation fees at some airports in the path of the storm.

On Friday, an American Airlines flight slid-off the runway due to icy conditions while taxiing to the gate at the Columbia Regional Airport. None of the 80 passengers aboard the flight from Dallas were injured but the runway was so slick it could not be reached by bus so passengers were evacuated three at a time by first responders.

Interstate 64 outside St Louis shows traffic at a complete standstill as winter storm Gia dumps 10 inches of snow on Missouri 

Cars snarled back for miles on Missouri’s snow covered roads during the worst of the winter snow

Thousands of flights have also been cancelled or delayed over the weekend. One of the worst hit airports is Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, where a third of all its flights were canceled and 15 per cent of those that ran were delayed on Saturday

Thousands of flights have also been cancelled or delayed over the weekend. One of the worst hit airports is Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, where a third of all its flights were canceled and 15 per cent of those that ran were delayed on Saturday

At least five deaths in the state have been reported due to automobile crashes on the icy roads. Kansas City Chiefs Fans are pictured helping a woman get back on the roadway after her car got stuck Saturday 

At least five deaths in the state have been reported due to automobile crashes on the icy roads. Kansas City Chiefs Fans are pictured helping a woman get back on the roadway after her car got stuck Saturday 

Fans arrive to a snow covered Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL divisional football playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts, in Kansas City Saturday

Fans arrive to a snow covered Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL divisional football playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts, in Kansas City Saturday

Snow falls on the White House as a winter storm arrives in the region, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Washington

Snow falls on the White House as a winter storm arrives in the region, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Washington

The storm is also causing traffic chaos for drivers in some states. 

Part of Interstate 44 near St. Louis was blocked for several hours Saturday, and at one point the Missouri State Highway Patrol warned of traffic delays as long as eight hours. 

In Indiana, the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed for hours Saturday after a semitruck jackknifed along the snow-covered highway near Lafayette, about 65 miles northwest of Indianapolis. 

At least seven people have died, including five who were killed in crashes on slick roadways in Kansas and Missouri. 

They included a woman and her 14-year-old stepdaughter whose car slid into the path of a semitrailer in Clinton, about 80 miles southeast of Kansas City, on Friday. 

Another woman died when her car slid on U.S. 24 in northern Missouri and was hit by an oncoming SUV.

The storm wasn't bad news for everyone. Snowmobilers enjoyed the fresh drifts near New Virginia, Iowa, on Saturday 

The storm wasn’t bad news for everyone. Snowmobilers enjoyed the fresh drifts near New Virginia, Iowa, on Saturday 

Jeff Clifford digs out his girlfriend's car from a pile of snow on Saturday in St Louis, Missouri 

Jeff Clifford digs out his girlfriend’s car from a pile of snow on Saturday in St Louis, Missouri 

A resident uses a snow plow to move snow after a snowstorm in New Virginia, Iowa, USA, 12 January 2019

A resident uses a snow plow to move snow after a snowstorm in New Virginia, Iowa, USA, 12 January 2019

As of 8am Saturday, Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to more than 700 crashes, 48 injuries and four fatalities, with nearly 3,000 calls for service

As of 8am Saturday, Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to more than 700 crashes, 48 injuries and four fatalities, with nearly 3,000 calls for service

Noah Shober makes a snow angel outside of his house in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019

Noah Shober makes a snow angel outside of his house in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019

In Kansas, a 62-year-old man died after his pickup truck skidded on the Kansas Turnpike and hit a concrete barrier. 

Another crash involving two semitrailers in snowy conditions killed a 41-year-old driver from Mexico. 

‘We’re anticipating still more snow through today, so we’re asking motorists to stay home until the roads are cleared,’ said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Collin Stosberg, stationed in suburban Kansas City. 

‘If you do have to get out on the road, we’re asking you to do three things: Have your cellphone fully charged, wear your seat belt and slow your speed for the conditions.’

Missouri troopers responded to more than 3,000 calls for help through early Saturday afternoon, including more than 700 crashes and 1,300 stranded vehicles. 

Illinois State Police said troopers along the Mississippi River across from St. Louis have responded to more than 100 crashes during the storm.

In central Missouri, officials said about 12,000 households and businesses were without power in Columbia and the surrounding area at one point.  

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