Fierce Winter Storm Goliath plowed into parts of the Southwest and southern Plains Sunday, as weather across the country killed at least 23 and brought blizzard conditions to areas, forcing at least one governor to declare a state of emergency. About 33 million people were under some sort of winter weather warning tied directly to the storm.
Between 2 and 3 feet of snow was reported in eastern New Mexico. Violent winds are driving drifts as high as 8 to 10 feet.
"This is a dire situation, especially the eastern part of the state," said New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. She issued a state of emergency and activated the Natonal Guard.
Below, the latest state-by-state impacts.
(FORECAST: The Latest on Winter Storm Goliath)
New Mexico
At least 3 feet of snow was recorded near Bonito Lake, while at least 2 feet fell near Edgewood, Sedillo and San Antonito."We have a lot of resources on the ground to clear our roads, as well as conduct search and rescue operations," Gov. Martinez said. "I ask New Mexicans to please stay off the roads until conditions improve."
Interstate 40 was closed for 390 miles in New Mexico from Albaquerque to the Texas/Okalahoma border. Numerous other road closures, such as U.S. Highway 82 closed from mile marker 17 to mile marker 191 in the state, were reported. Elsewhere, state officials have warned of difficult driving conditions. Click here for the latest road-condition updates.
Police spokesman Fred Duran told The Associated Press hotels along I-40 were full and had to turn people away.
Police officers in Albuquerque said they responded to 178 weather-related accidents by Saturday night, about 58 of which involved injuries, The AP reported.
The National Weather Service said snow drifts were already as high as 8 feet in Clovis by Sunday morning. KOAT reports at least 4,500 customers had lost power in Clovis.
Oklahoma
As the storm moved into western Oklahoma Sunday, the state department of transportation cautioned drivers of icy roads and bridges, from Beaver County, south to Harmon and Tillman Counties, east to Garvin County and north to Grant Count, according to KFOR. Conditions were also getting worse along I-35 north of Oklahoma City and I-40 west of Oklahoma City.
I40 Eastbound at calumet US270 two semis on there side one lane blocked #okwx
People in Altus have been asked to conserve water through Monday after a power failure at the Tom Steed Reservoir. An ice storm warning is in affect for the area and travel is discouraged.
Texas
Sunday night, the Lubbock, Texas, airport recorded 8.8 inches of snowfall, as Goliath continued to impact the state.Officials were warning people to stay off roads in the Texas Panhandle, as vicious winds and heavy snow pounded the area. The I-40 closure continued from the New Mexico-Texas border east to Amarillo. Whiteout conditions were reported.
“This wind isn’t a 5-to-6 hour thing. It’s more like a 24-hour thing,” explained meteorologist Mike Seidel, reporting from Amarillo for The Weather Channel.
Schools and businesses are closed Monday across the Panhandle, including in Lubbock, Amarillo and Midland/Odessa.
According to the National Weather Service, there were multiple reports of people stranded in vehicles in Hockley County as well as Lubbock County.
Lubbock Police and DPS say that hundreds of vehicles have been stuck around town in this #lubbockblizzard
#txwx
California
An apparent tornado outside Fulsome, California, on December 24. (Facebook/Justin Whitton)
The storm also brought heavy snow to California's Sierra Nevada, The AP reported. It was enough snow, in fact, to put the mountains' snowpack above average for this time of year.
Washington
More than 25 inches of snow fell in parts of the state over 24 hours. Both Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and U.S. 2 at Stevens Pass were closed at one point due to the weather. Traffic was backd up for miles as holiday travelers encountered the closures.MORE: Goliath in Photos
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