A severe winter storm has wreaked havoc across the United States, claiming at least 30 lives and disrupting daily life on an unprecedented scale. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, and millions of residents are facing prolonged power outages. In response, weather-related emergencies have been declared in at least 25 states, authorities reported.
The extreme cold has affected a vast swathe of the country, stretching from the north-eastern states of New York and Massachusetts to southern regions including Texas and North Carolina. Snowfall has reached up to 18 inches in some areas, while temperatures have plunged to as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius. Overall, the storm has impacted approximately 118 million people, with emergency preparedness measures issued for over 150 million residents.
New York state has suffered the highest toll, with five fatalities reported. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard in New York City to assist residents, and Mayor Jhoran Mamdani has urged anyone requiring help to come forward. Other deaths have been reported in Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Massachusetts, and Kansas.
The storm has severely disrupted air travel. More than 11,000 flights were cancelled nationwide last Sunday, and the flight-tracking website FlightAware warned that cancellations were likely to increase further on Monday. In addition, over 820,000 electricity customers from Texas to Virginia were still without power as of 4 a.m. local time on Monday.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the snowstorm was expected to move from the north-east towards the Atlantic coast. However, Arctic air flowing into the region could bring additional snowfall and rain, raising concerns of further disruption. Meteorologists predict that the severe cold could persist for several more days, prolonging the hazardous conditions across the country.
Impact Summary of the Snowstorm:
| State/Region | Reported Deaths | Snowfall (inches) | Power Outages (approx.) | Flight Disruptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 5 | Up to 18 | Thousands | Major |
| Massachusetts | 2+ | Up to 16 | Thousands | Major |
| Texas | 3+ | 6–12 | 300,000+ | Major |
| North Carolina | 1+ | 4–10 | 50,000+ | Moderate |
| Tennessee | 1+ | 3–8 | 30,000+ | Minor |
| Louisiana | 1+ | 2–6 | 20,000+ | Minor |
| Kansas | 1+ | 5–10 | 10,000+ | Minor |
Officials continue to urge residents to remain indoors where possible, prepare for extended power outages, and monitor local weather updates. The storm serves as a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to extreme winter weather, highlighting the importance of preparedness and coordinated emergency response.