Winter Storms Batter U.S.
Four days after an ice storm crippled electrical service across the South, thousands of customers were still in the dark Monday.
In the Pacific Northwest, meanwhile, heavy snowfall and avalanche hazards stranded travelers returning from holiday celebrations from both sides of the Cascade mountain range.
CBS This Morning Meteorologist Craig Allen reports that rain - not sleet or ice - will be falling in the Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic states Monday, easing some ice problems.
Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore asked on Sunday residents to help neighbors get through the ordeal while Virginia Power continued around-the-clock efforts to restore service.
"This is a time where neighbors need to look after neighbors," Gilmore said. "This is a time for every Virginian to step up."
About 93,000 homes and businesses had no power late Sunday, mostly in central Virginia, and at least 17 localities had declared states of emergency. At the height of the storm, 285,000 customers were without power.
In Tennessee, about 22,000 customers were waiting to have service restored, along with 15,000 in Mississippi and 5,500 in Alabama. Crews worked past nightfall to restore power in northern Louisiana.
More than 2,000 utility workers were still laboring in Virginia on Sunday, but progress was slow because ice-laden trees shifted as they thawed, taking down more power lines. Virginia Power said some customers could be without service until midweek.
"The weather has warmed a little, but we are still very concerned about any customers who may have chosen to remain in their homes and who do not have a safe, reliable heat source," said John Smatlak, manager of Virginia Power's storm center.
"We are asking customers to contact friends of relatives for assistance or to contact local authorities for information on shelters that have opened," he said.
In the Pacific Northwest, up to 4,000 people were stranded by snow north of Fort Lewis, about 30 miles east of Seattle, said Rob Harper, of the Camp Murray State Emergency Center.
Between 12 to 18 inches of snow were expected to fall overnight along the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, prompting flood warnings across the eastern part of the state. Driving conditions remained hazardous.
Meteorologist Craig Allen reports that Oregon and Washington can expect one to three inches of rain, creating the possibility of an avalanche.
Avalanche conditions are high throughout the region because of the instability of the snow pack at the lower levels and more snow falling at the higher levels.
As a result, portions of Interstate 90 are being closed, and truckers are being advised to use caution.
Extremely heavy rain also fell Sunday along the southern slopes of the Olympic Peninsula, while heavy rains and winds pelted Oregon, overcoming several roads with high water.