Feds Shutter DC Offices, Brace for Snow

Thousands have already lost power in Virginia
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 6, 2013 6:42 AM CST
Feds Shutter DC Offices, Brace for Snow
Snow covers containers at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, March 5, 2013.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The federal government closed up shop today, shutting offices in anticipation of a looming snowstorm that blanketed Chicago with snow yesterday, the AP reports. (The six inches logged at O'Hare best a 1999 record for the date—by more than two inches.) The National Weather Service is predicting six to 12 inches of heavy, slushy snow in DC, though there's a chance the snow could turn to rain as it nears the Atlantic, CNN reports. "We're in our mobilization level 5, which is our highest mobilization level," says one Virginia Department of Transportation employee.

Airlines have already cancelled hundreds of flights in the storm's projected path, and at least 4,723 Virginia residents have lost power. Ohio is getting its taste of the storm as well, and schools in Columbus have closed; DC kids are off, too. (More winter storm stories.)

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