Major Winter Storm Impacts Much of the U.S., Causing Power Outages and Travel Disruptions
A significant winter storm is sweeping across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, bringing with it a mix of heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. The storm affects millions from New Mexico to New England, causing widespread disruptions.
As of Sunday evening, nearly a million customers in the South were without power, with Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas among the most affected states. For more details, visit PowerOutage.us.
The storm has placed states from Missouri to Maine under a winter storm warning, with the National Weather Service expressing concern over freezing rain and ice.
NWS meteorologist Nicholas Price highlighted the dangers associated with ice events, including frozen bridges and the potential for trees to fall onto roads or houses. “Whenever we see these big ice events, we’ll see various hazards,” Price told NPR. You can read more at NPR.
The storm has severely affected air travel, with over 11,000 flights canceled and more than 4,700 delayed. For the latest updates, check FlightAware.
Officials across multiple states have advised residents to avoid road travel unless necessary.
Alabama
- Northwest Alabama, including Lauderdale County, was heavily impacted, with ice accumulations causing numerous power outages and road obstructions.
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to assist with the response efforts.
Arkansas
- Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, deploying National Guard members to support the Arkansas State Police.
Delaware
- Several areas recorded over 6 inches of snow. Gov. Matt Meyer urged residents to stay home, stating, “This is not a let-me-run-out-to-the-convenience-store-real-quick kind of storm.”
Georgia
- Freezing rain, sleet, and snow affected parts of northern and middle Georgia. The University of Georgia canceled in-person classes for Monday.
For additional safety tips and resources, visit WUGA.
Illinois
- Springfield declared a snow emergency lasting through Monday at noon, with eight collisions involving snowplows reported.
Indiana
- Wind chills in northern Indiana could reach 20 degrees below zero, with multiple crashes and slide-offs reported on the roads.
Kentucky
- Gov. Andy Beshear reported at least 75,000 power outages, with ice accumulations expected to rise.
Louisiana
- Over 140,000 customers lost power. Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to facilitate state assistance.
For more information, visit KEDM.
Maine
- Snowfall was expected to intensify, with wind chills dropping to 25 below zero.
Maryland
- Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, urging residents to avoid roads.
Mississippi
- Icy roads and power outages were prevalent, with downed trees posing significant issues.
New Jersey
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill issued an emergency declaration, with commercial vehicle restrictions on highways.
New York
- Most of the state was expected to receive 1-2 feet of snow, with Gov. Kathy Hochul urging residents to stay indoors.
For regional resources, visit WSKG.
Ohio
- A total snowfall of 8 inches to a foot was predicted in central Ohio, with potential rock salt shortages affecting road safety.
Tennessee
- Tennessee faced widespread power outages and icy conditions. Nashville residents engaged in sledding activities despite the storm’s severity.
For more updates, check WKNO.
Texas
- Austin reported one death due to extreme cold, with thick ice causing hazardous road conditions.
For Texas-specific resources, visit Texas Public Radio.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
