OMAHA, Neb. — A significant ice storm wreaked havoc across Iowa and eastern Nebraska over the weekend, creating hazardous driving conditions and prompting temporary closures of Interstate 80 as numerous vehicles skidded off the road.
The storm, which hit Friday evening, led to the cancellation of multiple events in the region. Many businesses announced delayed openings on Saturday, while officials advised residents to stay at home whenever possible. Fortunately, temperatures rose enough in the afternoon to melt much of the ice.
Tragically, at least one fatality was reported in a crash attributed to icy roads in eastern Nebraska. Authorities revealed that a 57-year-old woman lost control of her pickup truck on Highway 30 near Arlington, colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Further west, the storm brought strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph, which led to the issuance of a tornado warning in San Francisco. This warning, which affected around a million residents in the area, was lifted approximately 20 minutes after its issuance.
Later in the day, a tornado was confirmed to have touched down near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, roughly 70 miles south of San Francisco. The tornado overturned cars and downed trees and utility poles, causing significant damage. Reports indicated that injuries were sustained, with several individuals transported to local hospitals.
The tornado’s impact was particularly felt in the shopping district on Mt. Hermon Drive, where emergency services advised the public to avoid the area due to extensive damage.
In addition to the tornado, San Francisco experienced downed trees, damaged roofs, and debris on roads, marking a rare instance of tornado activity in the city since 2005. Meteorologists are currently assessing the damage to confirm whether a tornado did indeed strike.
In upstate New York, residents faced heavy snowfall, with some areas reporting over 33 inches. Meanwhile, Nevada’s Sierra Nevada mountains were forecasted to receive up to 3 feet of snow, prompting winter storm warnings.
Interstate 80 experienced closures along an 80-mile stretch from Applegate, California, to the Nevada border, with conditions improving enough in the afternoon to allow passenger vehicles equipped with chains or four-wheel drive to resume travel.
Western Washington also faced challenges, as tens of thousands of residents were without electricity due to the storm’s impact.
