Heavy snow and freezing rain caused hundreds of crashes in Virginia and left tens of thousands of residents in the dark as the central Appalachians and parts of the mid-Atlantic states are bracing for heavy rains.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain were expected to continue pummeling the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic states Wednesday, while California readied for a storm that could flood areas ravaged by the recent wildfires.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain were expected to continue pummeling the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic states Wednesday, while California readied for a storm that could flood areas ravaged by

Travel will become treacherous Tuesday through early Wednesday in much of Virginia and West Virginia, the National Weather Service said.

With a powerful winter storm set to bring up to 6 inches of snow, ice, and flooding across Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing resources to prepare for hazardous conditions expected to hit overnight Monday into Tuesday.