Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes US with Deadly Impact and Massive Travel Disruptions
A powerful and historic winter storm has swept across the United States, turning deadly with at least five fatalities recorded in New York City alone over the weekend. The severe weather system, characterized by widespread snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, has crippled transportation networks and power supplies across extensive regions of the country, leading to one of the largest mass flight cancellations in US aviation history.
Fatalities and Emergency Declarations
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the five deaths on Sunday, January 25, though he noted that the exact causes remain under investigation. "While we do not yet know their causes of death, there is no more powerful reminder of the danger of extreme cold and how vulnerable many of our neighbours are, especially homeless New Yorkers," Mayor Mamdani stated. The storm has prompted at least 23 states to declare states of emergency as it stretches across much of the eastern and central United States, affecting around 185 million people currently under winter weather alerts.
Massive Flight Cancellations and Airport Closures
The storm has caused severe disruption to air travel, with approximately 10,000 flights cancelled nationwide so far, and an additional 2,000 cancellations expected. This has left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country. LaGuardia Airport in New York was forced to close after being blanketed by heavy snowfall, a significant impact given it typically handles over 400 flights daily. According to Fox Weather, conditions worsened rapidly, necessitating the shutdown. Wind speeds near New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport reached as high as 32 miles per hour, further reducing visibility and exacerbating travel challenges.
Widespread Snowfall and Power Outages
Snowfall totals have been substantial in many areas, with some regions receiving up to 12 inches of snow. Reports from ABC News indicate varied accumulations:
- Arkansas and Kansas: about eight inches
- Illinois and Ohio: 11 inches
- Indiana: 13 inches
- Missouri: 12 inches
- Oklahoma: seven inches
- New Jersey: six inches
- Tennessee: five inches
Ice accumulation has brought down power lines in several states, contributing to nearly one million people without electricity nationwide. Tennessee alone accounts for about 330,000 homes affected. In Louisiana, NBC News reported that two men in Caddo Parish died from hypothermia amid the freezing conditions, highlighting the storm's deadly reach.
Additional Weather Threats and Regional Impacts
Beyond snow and ice, parts of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were placed under tornado watches, compounding the weather threat. Panic buying ahead of the storm left supermarket shelves stripped bare in many cities, as residents prepared for the harsh conditions. Scenes of disruption and resilience played out across major cities, with airport crews working diligently to clear runways in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, while some residents found moments of levity by sledding on snow-covered steps and streets.
States Under Emergency and Ongoing Warnings
Authorities continue to warn of the dangers posed by extreme cold and icy conditions. The states currently under a declared state of emergency include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
Officials are bracing for further impacts from the storm system as it continues to affect the nation, underscoring the need for preparedness and caution in the face of such extreme weather events.
