Storm system loses some of its punch

CHICAGO, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A deadly storm that dumped snow measuring in double digits in parts of the U.S. midsection was expected to ease as it moved east Wednesday, forecasters said.

Snow is forecast Wednesday from the Midwest to the Northeast from the subdued but still powerful storm that officials blame for three deaths, CNN reported.

The system brought up to foot of snow to parts of eastern Kansas, Missouri and Illinois Tuesday after blanketing southern Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, with some accumulations of at least 18 inches.

"This storm is still a very active and dangerous storm, from Michigan into western New York and the mountains in New England are getting hit with very heavy snows, National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini said.

In Shawnee, Kan., the roof of a horse arena collapsed under the weight of snow Tuesday, KSHB-TV, Kansas City, reported. No injuries were reported in the arena roof collapse, one of several caused by the wet heavy snow.

A person died Monday in a roof collapse in Woodward, Okla., Mayor Roscoe Hill said. In Kansas, two people died in separate weather-related accidents Monday.

DTE Energy says the storm that crossed southeast Michigan left 30,000 of its customers without power, WDIV-TV, Detroit, reported.

More than 56,000 customers in Kansas and Missouri were without power into Tuesday evening, the Kansas National Guard said.

The snow caused problems for travelers, particularly those trying to get into or out of Chicago, CNN said. After more than 1,000 flights were canceled on Tuesday at Chicago's O'Hare International and Midway airports, another 150 were canceled early Wednesday.

Chicago's northern suburbs were hit hardest by the storm, with Waukegan reporting 11 inches of snow accumulation Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reported.

By midnight, 4.8 inches had fallen at O'Hare International Airport, NWS said. Forecasters said an additional inch or so could fall Wednesday.

In Missouri, Transportation Department officials were discouraging travel as roads remained snow-covered but improving across the northern part of the state.