However, officials are warning residents not to let their guard down as crews continue their work to clear roads and restore power after being pounded by heavy snow and ice.
The storm began its journey across the nation after slamming the West Coast, where it spawned the first tornado of the year in California.
The winter weather then moved into the Plains and Midwest over the weekend, where blizzard conditions were experienced at Kansas City International Airport, and sleet and freezing rain led to numerous crashes across the region from Kansas and Missouri through the Ohio Valley.
At least seven deaths, including a child, are being attributed to the storm across multiple states.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a 33-year-old driver died after getting out of their vehicle on Interstate 29 in Mount City. The vehicle began to slide, hitting the 33-year-old victim from Nebraska.
Another death was reported in Missouri when a 61-year-old Public Works employee was struck while performing snow removal operations in Jackson County, according to MSHP. Snow removal operations paused on Sunday because of the incident and resumed on Monday morning.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Everett Carter, who dedicated 40 years of service to Jackson County, including the last 8 years with the Public Works team,” Jackson County officials said in a statement.
In Kansas, two people were killed in a crash in southwest Wichita during the winter storm, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), when a vehicle traveling on Interstate 235 spun out of control and left the roadway.
Also in Kansas, a 28-year-old Dodge City man died on Saturday in Ford County when a tractor-trailer swerved in icy conditions, and the victim’s vehicle crashed into the tractor-trailer.
On Monday, investigators said a Dodge City man was killed when a vehicle backed over him while he was trying to direct a vehicle out of a snowdrift-covered parking lot near the junction of K-156 and I-70.
In Illinois, officials say a juvenile was killed and another is being treated for injuries described as life-threatening after a snow tube crash in Macon County.
Officials said a man driving an ATV was pulling two boys on an inner tube in snowy conditions when the tube slid out during a turn and hit a large boulder.
On Monday, the storm brought its fury to the mid-Atlantic states, causing major disruptions to travel and daily life and widespread power outages.
Officials said a man driving an ATV was pulling two boys on an inner tube in snowy conditions when the tube slid out during a turn and hit a large boulder.
Power has also been knocked out across the region. As of Tuesday morning, PowerOutage.US reported more than 167,000 outages across portions of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.
Winter storm-related power outages in Richmond caused the city’s water system to malfunction. Residents are under a Boil Water Advisory and are being told to conserve water.
After a lull in the snow Monday afternoon, another round moved into the region on Monday night.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management warned residents not to let their guard down during a break in the weather.
“While this break in precipitation is allowing road crews to continue to work to make roadways passable, any moisture remaining on the roadways could cause refreeze with temperatures dropping below freezing,” said VDEM Chief Agency Spokesperson Jason Elmore. “Please limit travel unless absolutely necessary and don’t have a false sense of security because this weather event isn’t over just yet.”
In advance of the storm, governors in several states, including Maryland, declared a state of emergency and warned residents to stay home if possible to ensure safety due to the treacherous driving conditions on roads and highways across the region.
“Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Please stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family and charge your communications devices in case you lose power,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement.