Winter Storm Izzy: Airline Travel Advisories Issued, Schools Closed

Residents in some areas are being asked for their safety. Schools are closed and airlines are prepared for delays. A winter storm is expected to bring snow, wind, and frigid temperatures to large parts of the U.S. during the holiday weekend.

Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa canceled classes today. Several other Central Iowa school districts also called off school or declared early dismissals.

More than 200 plowsAccording to the Iowa Department of Transportation there were approximately 40,000 vehicles on the roads. They were mostly located in the northwest and middle of the state.

Roads were already slippery in the morning, and the Iowa State Patrol asked motorists to report any damage to the affected areas. stay home If possible,

The snowplow map of Kansas City showed crews on many streets in the city Friday morning. Some schools in the area were closed on Thursday and Friday because of COVID-19.

Southwest Airlines extended a travel advisory for major airports in southern cities. Change fees will be waived for Saturday and Sunday flights. Affected airports include Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greenville-Spartanburg, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville and Raleigh-Durham.

The airline had previously issued an advisory Friday and Saturday in parts Midwest and stated that it would waive any change fees for flights to, through, or from Des Moines, Kansas City and Minneapolis.

(FORECAST: Winter Storm Izzy Spreads Snow, Ice from the Midwest into South and East into MLK Weekend)

Delta issued similar advisory for multiple airports it serves throughout the Southeast, Minneapolis-St. Paul and other areas.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Get ahead of the storm on Friday

“This storm will bring significant impacts from snow, sleet and freezing rain in different parts of the state, with likely power outages and travel disruptions,” Cooper said in a news release. “North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast over the next few days, and make sure they are personally prepared before Saturday afternoon.”

The Weather Channel named the storm Izzy.

“This swift-moving winter storm, which will be moving southeastward from Dakotas to Ozarks on Friday and Saturday, will bring a quick snowstorm. A narrow zone of 5-10” of snow is expected from the eastern Dakotas to northern Missouri,” meteorologist Jonathan Belles said Thursday evening.

Then, the storm will barrel into Southeast.

Belles stated that this will result in snow for some and snow for others. In parts of Georgia and the Carolinas it could mean rapidly changing conditions from snow and ice to snow and back again. “Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be treacherous for driving in some of those spots. However, the last part of the holiday weekend will bring some drier and more pleasant weather. Be prepared for poor road conditions and the possibility that you may lose power from north Georgia to inland Carolinas.

The Georgia Department of Transportation maintains more than 50,000 tons of salt, 46,000 tons of aggregate, and 407 snow removal dump trucks.

“Winter weather is forecast in North Georgia and metro Atlanta this Saturday. GDOT is preparing“Brine operations, equipment, materials and staff to respond the threat,” the agency stated in a tweet. “We will continue to monitor the conditions as the storm develops.”

A GDOT official informed The Weather Channel that residents in affected areas should stay at home and not travel.

(MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Snow and Ice in South)

The possibility of snow mixed with sleet, freezing rain and sleet will spread to the mid-Atlantic countries Sunday, then to much of the Northeast Sunday night.

One expert warned that the storm could have a negative impact on already stressed U.S. supply chains.

”From an impact perspective, with this kind of weather scenario, all it would take is an accident or two for major Interstate closures to occur,” Francisco Alvarez, lead meteorologist for trucking network Convoy, told in an email Thursday.

Alvarez cited Midwest highways as a major concern, for example

“Basically, you could make a container between Omaha, Sioux Falls or Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Des Moines will be the most dangerous for truckers,” he stated.

All drivers must be aware of the areas where the storm may pass.

These are some driving safety tips and winter storm advice that the South Carolina Department of Emergency Management has issued ahead of the storm.

Avoid unnecessary travel to the affected areas. If you must travel, ensure your vehicle is in working order, your phone is charged, and bring extra blankets, snacks, and other items in case of delays.

-If you lose power, learn how to notify your utility company. Also, have an alternate, safe way to stay warm.

Wrap pipes that are exposed or take other measures to protect them from freezing. This can cause pipes to burst.

-If your fireplace has a chimney, be sure to have plenty dry, seasoned wood.

Winter is the most active season to set fire to houses. Keep fire extinguishers in your home and teach your family how to use them.

-Promote carbon monoxide safety by venting kerosene heaters, avoiding charcoal burning indoors, and keeping portable generators outside of windows and doors.

-Keep a stock of batteries.

Keep pets and domestic animals warm and hydrated.

-Report on anyone who may require extra assistance during winter.

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