Winter Storm Maya Continues Trek East, Causing Treacherous Travel Conditions

Winter Storm Maya continued its trek across the northern tier of the United States on Tuesday, dumping snow, closing schools and making for a treacherous morning commute for thousands.

With temperatures dipping below freezing overnight in the Seattle area, authorities are cautioning drivers to watch for icy roads, according to a tweet posted by the Bonney Lake Police Department.

Maya brought significant snowfall to western Washington's lowlands, including Seattle, late Sunday into Monday, according to weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. Snow totals of 6 to 12 inches have been measured in the area, especially in the hills. 

The Seattle area continued to deal with the effects of the storm Tuesday that blanketed the region with several inches to several feet of snow, reports the Associated Press.

Most school districts were forced to take another snow day as overnight cold temperatures left black ice on some roadways, while several flights were delayed out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. 

Authorities in Nagaunee, Michigan, reported a three-vehicle wreck that occurred around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on U.S. 41, reports TV6 & Fox Up. No injuries have been reported. 

Minnesota

Dozens of minor wrecks were reported Tuesday morning in the Minneapolis area as freezing drizzle made ramps and roads treacherous.

According to KSTP, the glare ice was wreaking havoc on the city's morning commute.

Wisconsin

A wreck involving a semi-trailer closed lanes on Highway 29 in Marathon County, reports WAOW. Authorities said the crash happened just before 4 a.m. and lanes were closed for nearly four hours.

Montana

In Montana, blizzard conditions were reported from Maya near Glacier National Park. 

The Blackfeet Indian Tribe declared a state of emergency Monday due to the wintry conditions affecting parts of the reservation east of Glacier National Park. The declaration issued by tribal chairman Harry Barnes calls for residents to stay indoors and off the roads and highways.

The state Department of Transportation closed U.S. Highway 2 southeast of West Glacier early Monday due to snow on the roadway. 

U.S. Highway 89 was closed from St. Mary to the junction of State Highway 464 around 11 a.m. Monday to allow maintenance crews to clear snow, according to the Great Falls Tribune.

Glacier National Park offices were also closed due to the inclement weather, the Tribune reports.

At least one avalanche blocked the BNSF Railway line over Marias Pass Monday, delaying freight and passenger trains. The company warned customers to expect shipment delays of 24 to 36 hours.

Flathead County Eagle Transit representative Dale Novak told NBC Montana Monday that public transportation was shut down due to emergency travel conditions. 

The Flathead Avalanche Center issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the Whitefish, Swan and Flathead mountain ranges and southern Glacier National Park. 

Washington

A man was injured Monday in Seattle after a snow-laden tree collapsed on top of him while he was out walking his dog, according to the National Weather Service. The man and his dog were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Cars were abandoned along the shoulder of State Route 410 between Sumner and Bonner Lake, the News Tribune reports. Motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles due to the hill being too treacherous to travel on. 

Mount Ranier National Park remained closed Tuesday morning due to the snowstorm but will reopen at noon, the park announced via Twitter. 

Intersections were blocked off in Redmond Monday after seven metro buses became stuck on a hill on seven blocks of 152nd Avenue, reports KOMONews.com. 

As of Tuesday, more than 1,200 Puget Sound Energy customers remained without power in Washington's Puget Sound area, after more than 100,000 found themselves without power on Monday.

Oregon

A mother and baby were rescued Sunday after rain triggered a landslide that trapped them inside their RV home in Florence, Oregon. 

The mother and child were inside the RV when the ground gave way on the hillside above, Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal and Division Chief Sean Barrett told The Register-Guard. Their mobile home is in the Siuslaw Marina & River RV Park on Highway 126, which is adjacent to a hill and a canyon. It was trapped underneath an uprooted tree. 

Crews managed to get the door open wide enough for the mother to hand the infant to the rescuers, the Register-Guard also reports. The baby was less than a year old. The two are staying with relatives until they can make other arrangements. 

On Sunday, rainy weather wreaked havoc on roads in Portland, triggering landslides and causing many roadways to be shut down by authorities.

A landslide shut down a lane of Historic Columbia River Highway at the Stark Street bridge, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. 

A sinkhole and flooding shut down Pipeline Road near the 31700 block, also according to the sheriff's office. 

The storm is expected to bring snow and some ice to locations near the Canadian border in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast through Wednesday.