A **polar vortex** has resulted in an extreme **winter storm** affecting the U.S., especially east of the Rockies.
Major cities, including **Washington, D.C.** and **Louisville**, experienced heavy snowfall, while **Southern states** saw rare freezing conditions.
Tragically, the storm has resulted in at least **five fatalities** and thousands of traffic incidents, with **Virginia** reporting over 430 crashes.
**Travel disruptions** were significant, with over **9,000 flights** delayed or canceled, impacting major airports like those in **Greater Washington, D.C.**
Power outages affected over **300,000** residents across multiple states, leading to school closures and emergency declarations.
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