News|WeatherStorm causes widespread US power outages, thousands of flights cancelledFrom Texas to New England, the monster storm brings hazardous conditions, prompting warnings to stay off roads.
Over one million customers in the United States experienced power outages and more than 10,000 flights were canceled as a severe winter storm affected a significant portion of the country. The storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and freezing rain, is…
Over one million customers in the United States experienced power outages and more than 10,000 flights were canceled as a severe winter storm affected a significant portion of the country. The storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and freezing rain, is expected to impact the eastern two-thirds of the nation, causing temperatures to drop below freezing and creating hazardous travel and infrastructure conditions for several days, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
As of 2:14 pm EST (19:14 GMT) on Sunday, 1,005,641 customers were without electricity, with Tennessee being the most affected state. Other states, including Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama, also experienced significant power outages. Heavy snow was predicted from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast faced potential "catastrophic ice accumulation."
Weather Warnings and Emergency Declarations
The storm is described as "unique" due to its extensive reach, affecting areas from New Mexico and Texas to New England, covering approximately 2,000 miles (3,220 km). In response, federal emergency disaster declarations were approved for nearly 20 states and the District of Columbia. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has positioned commodities, staff, and search-and-rescue teams in multiple states, advising citizens to take necessary precautions.
As of 2:14 pm EST (19:14 GMT) on Sunday, 1,005,641 customers were without electricity, with Tennessee being the most affected state.
On Sunday, more than 10,000 flights were canceled, and another 8,000 were delayed, according to FlightAware.com. Major airlines have advised passengers to be prepared for sudden changes and cancellations. The Department of Energy issued an emergency order permitting grid operator PJM Interconnection to operate "specified resources" in the mid-Atlantic, bypassing state laws or environmental permits if necessary.
The NWS cautioned that heavy ice could lead to long-term power outages, substantial tree damage, and extremely hazardous travel conditions, especially in regions not accustomed to severe winter weather. Authorities warned of life-threatening cold temperatures in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with wind chill values potentially reaching below -50F (-45C), posing a risk of frostbite within minutes.
The storm results from a stretched polar vortex, a cold, low-pressure system typically confined to the Arctic but occasionally extends over a broader area, affecting North America. The increasing frequency of such polar vortex disruptions may be associated with climate change.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.