Dangerous Winter Storm Jonas Is Crippling

Michelle Navarre Cleary pulls a bag as she walks on K Street in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, 2016, as snow continues to fall. With long lead time from forecasters and stern warnings from authorities, tens of millions of residents from northern Georgia to New Jersey shuttered themselves inside to wait out a mammoth storm that made travel treacherous and could dump 2 feet or more of snow in some areas. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

WASHINGTON—With long lead time from forecasters and stern warnings from authorities, tens of millions of residents from northern Georgia to New Jersey shuttered themselves inside to wait out a mammoth storm that made travel treacherous and could dump 2 feet or more of snow in some areas.

Snow started falling Friday, but the worst was still yet to come, with strong winds and heavy snow expected to produce “life-threatening blizzard conditions” throughout Saturday, according to the National Weather Service’s website. Forecasters also predicted up to a half-inch of ice accumulation in the Carolinas, and potentially serious coastal flooding in the mid-Atlantic.

A tractor trailer rig drives during a snowstorm along the Atlantic City Expressway, near Atlantic City, on Jan. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

According to the National Weather Service's website early Saturday, 18 inches of snow already had fallen on Ulysses in eastern Kentucky, while 16 inches fell in Beattyville. Between 14 inches to 15.5 inches had fallen in at other locations across Kentucky, including Frenchburg, Mount Vernon, Eglon and Lancer.

The weather service said 7 inches of snow had fallen in Washington, D.C. while snowfall amounts in nearby Maryland ranged between 4.5 inches in Baltimore and 13.5 inches in Oakland. In Virginia, Reagan National Airport reported 6.8 inches of snow and Elma had 15 inches.

[caption id="attachment_1948190" align="alignnone" width="674"] A bobcat piles up snow in front of the U.S. Capitol, as the snow continues to fall, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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In Washington, the federal government closed its offices at noon, and all mass transit was shutting down through Sunday. President Barack Obama, hunkering down at the White House, was one of many who stayed home.

“Find a safe place and stay there,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser implored residents and visitors alike.

Michelle Navarre Cleary pulls a bag as she walks on K Street in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, 2016, as snow continues to fall.  (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)