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PHOTOS: Remembering DC’s ‘Snowpocalypse’ 15 years later – WTOP News

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PHOTOS: Remembering DC’s ‘Snowpocalypse’ 15 years later – WTOP News


It was one of those events that makes you remember where you were and who you were with. Snowpocalypse hit the D.C. area with a fury 15 years ago this week.

It was one of those events that you can recall where you were and who you were with. Fifteen years ago to the day, “Snowpocalypse” hit the Washington area with a fury.

One-and-a-half inches of snow fell on Dec. 18, 2009. The next day, another whopping 15 inches fell on D.C., paralyzing the city for days.

Relive the historic storm through photos:

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A man shovels snow at a cab hub in North West Washington, DC on February 11, 2010. A blizzard on February 10, 2010 turned the 2009-2010 winter into the snowiest ever on record for the Washington area with millions trapped at home, many without power, and the federal government shut down for the fourth day in a row. Washington’s public transportation system was still only providing limited service with only a few bus routes operating. AFP PHOTO Eva HAMBACH
(Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 11:  A worker of the Architect of the Capitol removes snow with a front-end loader on the ground of the U.S. Capitol February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 � 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: A worker of the Architect of the Capitol removes snow with a front-end loader on the ground of the U.S. Capitol February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 � 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 11:  A pedestrian walks behind tree branches that snapped from the weight of thick snow following yesterday�s snowstorm February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 - 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: A pedestrian walks behind tree branches that snapped from the weight of thick snow following yesterday�s snowstorm February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 – 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

PHOTOS: Remembering DC’s ‘Snowpocalypse’ 15 years later – WTOP News
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: A worker plows snow outside the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue following yesterday�s snowstorm February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 – 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Snow covers the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia on December 20, 2009. The Washington, DC  area was hammered December 19 by a fierce snowstorm that dumped more than a foot (38.48cm) of snow. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER        (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Snow covers the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia on December 20, 2009. The Washington, DC area was hammered December 19 by a fierce snowstorm that dumped more than a foot (38.48cm) of snow. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER
(Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

TOPSHOT - People walk through the snow-covered National Mall in Washington on December 20, 2009. A ferocious snow storm blanketed much of the eastern United States, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes, paralyzing air traffic and stranding motorists. The governors of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware declared states of emergency in advance of the storm, the worst to hit the region in decades.           AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo by Nicholas KAMM / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – People walk through the snow-covered National Mall in Washington on December 20, 2009. A ferocious snowstorm blanketed much of the eastern United States, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes, paralyzing air traffic and stranding motorists. The governors of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware declared states of emergency in advance of the storm, the worst to hit the region in decades. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo by Nicholas KAMM / AFP)
(Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 11:  A man delivers restaurant supplies on an unplowed street following yesterday�s snowstorm February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 - 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: A man delivers restaurant supplies on an unplowed street following yesterday�s snowstorm February 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. Washingtonians had to dig out again after the region was hard hit by a second mega snowstorm in five days making 2009 – 2010 the snowiest winter since the record has been kept in 1870.
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Reston Parkway is empty of cars during the height of Snowmageddon in February 2010.  (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
The Reston Parkway is empty of cars during the height of Snowmageddon in February 2010.
(WTOP/Dave Dildine)

WTOP/Dave Dildine

US Winter Forecast
FILE – Travis Grout uses his cross country snow skis to get around the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2010. Federal forecasters are predicting on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, less snow in general for the United States winter, but they said big snow events are possible like Washington’s paralyzing Snowmageddon storm that dumped more than 2 feet on the capital region during an El Nino.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

Officials work the scene of Joshua Temple Church Ministry in northeast Washington after the roof collapsed under the heavy snow Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. A massive snowstorm has hit the area with snow expected to continue throughout Saturday evening.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson isn’t predicting that much snow for this winter, though she said we can expect a little over 5 inches in the city with up to 15 inches in the northern and western suburbs. She said southern Maryland can expect a little over 2 inches.

So why do these massive snowfall totals seem to be a thing of the past for the D.C. area?

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“It’s a warming climate for us,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to get the colder conditions that will produce snowfall.”

Two months later, another record 3 feet of snow blanketed the D.C. region in 2010, putting flights out of the city at a standstill and leading to snowball fights outside of the Capitol Building. The snowfall was nicknamed “Snowmageddon.”

The mammoth snowstorms during the winter of 2009-2010 led to the region’s snowiest winter of all time. The 2009-2010 winter will be long remembered for its relentless snowstorms that led to a record seasonal snowfall at Reagan National and Dulles International airports.

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Washington, D.C

Preparations underway in DMV for snowstorm

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Preparations underway in DMV for snowstorm


Local and state snow crews are preparing to treat secondary and neighborhood streets throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

“It’s me and three other fellas, so it’s fairly small,” said Jason Swain with the Department of Public Works in Kensington Maryland.

He says his team may be small, but they’re mighty and ready.

“We get the plows ready, make sure everything’s working,” Swain said. “We have salt, which has been kindly given to us by the state, ready to put into the spreaders.”

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He says the biggest hurdle when plowing snow, oftentimes, is cars.

“Some people don’t have driveways, but if they’re going to park on the street, try not to park directly across from each other because when we come through, you literally got inches between the edge of our plow and the cars,” Swain said.

In the District, plenty of people decided to step out before snow crews put plow to pavement for a potential all day snow event.

“Mayor Bowser activated the snow team, and they’ll begin their operations tonight, treating and then plowing roads throughout the day tomorrow,” said Clint Osborn with the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

D.C.’s smaller plows will be on back roads and alleys, while heavy trucks will focus on primary streets.

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“We’ll have a full deployment out throughout all day tomorrow into Monday as we support the inaugural activities in the District,” Osborn said.

Icy conditions in Prince George’s County during the region’s last snowstorm led to different strategies this go round.

In a statement, the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation says, “We have implemented adjustments to strengthen our response, and these improvements have prepared us for this round of winter weather.”

The biggest piece of advice for tomorrow:

“Tomorrow would be a good day, since it’s a Sunday, to stay home,” Swain said. “Read a book, have some hot chocolate, relax. Can come out after we finish.”

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Days before Trump takes office, thousands of protestors march in Washington, D.C.

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Days before Trump takes office, thousands of protestors march in Washington, D.C.


WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people from around the United States rallied in the nation’s capital Saturday for women’s reproductive rights and other causes they believe are under threat from the incoming Trump administration, reprising the original Women’s March days before President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

READ MORE: Trump arriving in nation’s capital for inaugural celebrations to mark his return to power

Eight years after the first historic Women’s March at the start of Trump’s first term, marchers said they were caught off guard by Trump’s victory and are determined now to show that support remains strong for women’s access to abortion, for transgender people, for combating climate change and other issues.

The march is just one of several protests, rallies and vigils focused on abortion, rights, immigration rights and the Israel-Hamas war planned in advance of inauguration Monday. Around the country, over 350 similar marches are taking place in every state.

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Jill Parrish of Austin, Texas, said she initially bought a plane ticket to Washington for what she expected to be Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’s inauguration. She wound up changing the dates to march in protest ahead of Trump’s swearing-in instead, saying the world should know that half of U.S. voters didn’t support Trump.

“Most importantly, I’m here to demonstrate my fear, about the state of our democracy,” Parrish said.

Demonstrators staged in squares around Washington ahead of the march, pounding drums and yelling chants under a slate-gray sky and in a chilly wind. Protesters then marched to the Lincoln Memorial for larger rally and fair, where organizations at the local, state and national level will host information tables.

They held signs with slogans including, “Save America” and “Against abortions? Then don’t have one” and “Hate won’t win.”

There were brief moments of tension between protesters and Trump supporters. The march paused briefly when a man in a red Make America Great Again hat and a green camo backpack walked into a line of demonstrators at the front. Police intervened and separated him from the group peacefully as marchers chanted “We won’t take the bait.”

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As the protesters approached the Washington Monument, a small group of men in MAGA hats walking in the opposite direction appeared to draw the attention of a protest leader with a megaphone. The leader veered closer to the group and began chanting “No Trump, no KKK” through the megaphone. The groups were separated by high black fencing and police officers eventually gathered around.

Rick Glatz, of Manchester, New Hampshire, said he came to Washington for the sake of his four granddaughters: ” I’m a grandpa. And that’s why I’m marching.”

Minnesota high school teacher Anna Bergman wore her original pink pussy hat from her time in the 2017 Women’s March, a moment that captured the shock and anger of progressives and moderates at Trump’s first win.

With Trump coming back now, “I just wanted to be surrounded by likeminded people on a day like today,” Bergman said.

Rebranded and reorganized, the rally has a new name — the People’s March — as a means to broaden support, especially during a reflective moment for progressive organizing after Trump’s decisive win in November. The Republican takes the oath of office Monday.

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Women outraged over Trump’s 2016 presidential win flocked to Washington in 2017 and organized large rallies in cities throughout the country, building the base of a grassroots movement that became known as the Women’s March. The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 marchers, and millions more participated in local marches around the country, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history.

This year, the crowd was far fewer than the expected 50,000 participants, already just one-tenth the size of the first march. The demonstration comes amid a restrained moment of reflection as many progressive voters navigate feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and despair after Harris’ loss.

WATCH: Harris loss causes some to question what it will take to elect a woman president

“Before we do anything about democracy, we have to fight our own despair,” said one of the event’s first speakers, Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of Women’s March.

The comparative quiet contrasts sharply with the white-knuckled fury of the inaugural rally as massive crowds shouted demands over megaphones and marched in pink pussyhats in response to Trump’s first election win.

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“The reality is that it’s just hard to capture lightning in a bottle,” said Tamika Middleton, managing director at the Women’s March. “It was a really particular moment. In 2017, we had not seen a Trump presidency and the kind of vitriol that that represented.”

The movement fractured after that hugely successful day of protests over accusations that it was not diverse enough. This year’s rebrand as a People’s March is the result of an overhaul intended to broaden the group’s appeal. Saturday’s demonstration promoted themes related to feminism, racial justice, anti-militarization and other issues and ended with discussions hosted by various social justice organizations.

The People’s March is unusual in the “vast array of issues brought together under one umbrella,” said Jo Reger, a sociology professor who researches social movements at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Women’s suffrage marches, for example, were focused on a specific goal of voting rights.

For a broad-based social justice movement such as the march, conflicting visions are impossible to avoid and there is “immense pressure” for organizers to meet everyone’s needs, Reger said. But she also said some discord isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“Often what it does is bring change and bring in new perspectives, especially of underrepresented voices,” Reger said.

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Middleton, of the Women’s March, said a massive demonstration like the one in 2017 was not the goal of Saturday’s event. Instead, it’s goal was focusing attention on a broader set of issues — women’s and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration, climate and democracy — rather than centering it more narrowly around Trump.

“We’re not thinking about the march as the endgame,” Middleton said. “How do we get those folks who show up into organizations and into their political homes so they can keep fighting in their communities long term?”

Associated Press writers Gary Fields, Ellen Knickmeyer and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.



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DCA warns flyers to bundle up after heating system outage

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DCA warns flyers to bundle up after heating system outage


The primary heating system at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been out since Friday evening, and the airport is warning travelers to bundle up before they arrive.

“We apologize for any discomfort to travelers as we work diligently to return the heat to normal levels,” DCA said on its website.

DCA is still operational, and the broken heating system has not affected flights, TSA or airline operations, or any of the shops and restaurants inside. Temperatures outside in Alexandria hovering around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and according to a statement from the airport, temperatures inside the building are “generally in the 60s.”

“We are conserving heat in the building and are running alternate heating sources in a few locations,” DCA said in a statement posted to X.

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Airport maintenance crews are working to repair the heating system, and have been since Friday night.



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