Major storm cuts power, disrupts traffic in Washington, D.C. area

Commuters in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. had to deal with powerless traffic signals Monday following a vicious storm over the weekend. Officials estimate that full power will not be restored until sometime Thursday.

Hundreds of traffic signals were knocked out in the path of the storm, known as a derecho, which sported 60 mph winds. In Northern Virginia alone, 120 traffic signals were out on Monday morning. Power was restored at some intersections through the use of generators; others utilized four-way stop signs to regulate traffic flow.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said it would lift HOV requirements on I-66 inside the Beltway during the morning and afternoon rush hours on Monday and Tuesday. All HOV regulations will still be in effect outside the Beltway and on I-95/395.

One fatality was reported on Sunday night when a pedestrian was struck by a car as he was crossing a dark intersection.