Key Takeaways:
- A powerful winter storm spread across the eastern United States, affecting over 118 million people and causing widespread power outages and travel disruptions.
- Over 1 million homes and businesses lost power across 8 Southern states, with Tennessee being the hardest hit.
- More than 10,000 U.S. airline flights were canceled due to the storm, with major airports experiencing significant disruptions.
- Federal emergency declarations were approved in at least 12 states, and 17 states and the District of Columbia declared weather emergencies.
- The storm is expected to prolong bitter cold and icy conditions over the next few days, with more Arctic air forecasted to move into the region.
Introduction to the Storm
The eastern United States was hit by a powerful winter storm that brought a mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, causing widespread disruptions and power outages. The storm affected over 118 million people, with winter storm warnings posted for most of the eastern third of the United States. The National Weather Service predicted prolonged travel disruptions and strained energy supplies in some areas. The storm was accompanied by bitter, Arctic cold, with sub-zero temperatures reported along the Canadian border and below-freezing temperatures as far south as the Gulf of Mexico.
Impact on Travel and Infrastructure
The storm had a significant impact on air travel, with over 11,000 U.S. flights canceled on Sunday, according to FlightAware.com. Major airports, including New York, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, experienced significant disruptions, with at least 80% of their Sunday flights canceled. Ronald Reagan National Airport in northern Virginia was effectively closed due to the storm. The storm also caused widespread power outages, with over 1 million homes and businesses losing power across 8 Southern states. Tennessee was the hardest hit, with over 800,000 electricity customers remaining without power as of Sunday evening.
Government Response
The federal government responded to the storm by approving emergency disaster declarations for a dozen states, mostly in the mid-South. President Donald Trump declared the storm "historic" and authorized the deployment of backup generation resources at data centers and other major facilities to limit blackouts. The Department of Energy also issued an emergency order to authorize grid operator PJM Interconnection to run "specified resources" in the mid-Atlantic region, regardless of limits due to state laws or environmental permits. Additionally, 17 states and the District of Columbia declared weather emergencies, and the National Guard was mobilized in New York to assist with the state’s emergency storm response.
Weather Forecast
The storm system was expected to drift away from the East Coast into the Atlantic on Monday, but more Arctic air was forecasted to move into the region, prolonging bitter cold and icy conditions over the next few days. The National Weather Service predicted that the ice that had fallen would keep power lines heavy, even if they hadn’t gone down immediately. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that the situation was "pretty unique" and that the storm would have a prolonged impact on the region.
Regional Impact
The storm had a significant impact on various regions, with some areas experiencing heavy snowfall, while others were hit with freezing rain and sleet. New York Governor Kathy Hochul mobilized National Guard troops to assist with the state’s emergency storm response, while other states declared weather emergencies and issued warnings to residents to stay indoors and avoid travel. The storm also caused significant disruptions to daily life, with many schools and businesses closed due to the weather. As the storm continues to move through the region, residents are bracing for a prolonged period of cold and icy conditions.
Conclusion
The winter storm that hit the eastern United States was a powerful and disruptive event that caused widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and significant impacts on daily life. The federal and state governments responded quickly to the storm, declaring emergencies and deploying resources to assist with the response. As the storm continues to move through the region, residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and take necessary precautions to stay safe. The prolonged period of cold and icy conditions is expected to continue over the next few days, making it essential for residents to be prepared and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
