245 Million Affected Across 40 States as Flights, Power, and Daily Life Crippled by Historic Storm
New York: A powerful winter storm turned Sunday into a “whiteout” across much of the United States, leaving at least 15 people dead. Heavy snow, crippling ice, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures blanketed vast regions, disrupting travel, cutting power, and straining emergency services. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors as the severe weather continues to pose risks nationwide.
Roughly 245 million people across 40 states, from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England and the South, are affected by the historic storm.
Dangerously cold conditions, with the coldest wind chills, have been affecting most of the U.S. since Friday and will persist into the early days of the week.
In New York City, the snow is about 20 inches, and at least five people were found dead on Saturday.
Snow and ice impacts are expected to cause power outages, widespread travel shutdowns, and school closures.
The winter storm has left at least 15 people dead as of Sunday afternoon, with more than a million people without power, and has resulted in the cancellation of more than 15,000 flights.
Reports indicate that Sunday’s flight cancellations were the highest single-day total for the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, reflecting the severity of the storm’s disruption. At least 24 states have issued emergency disaster declarations ahead of the winter storm. These include New York, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and Louisiana.
Others are Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.“In the wake of the storm, communities from the southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures. These temperatures will hamper cleanup efforts, prolonging infrastructure impacts and hazardous travel into, at least, early next week,” NWS said.d.
President Donald Trump urged Americans to “stay safe and stay warm” as the storm hit.
“I’ve been briefed on the Record Cold Wave and Historic Winter Storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend.
“The Trump administration is coordinating with State and local officials. FEMA is fully prepared to respond. Stay Safe and Stay Warm.”
New York ensured that people experiencing homelessness had access to shelter and extended shelter hours. Governor Kathy Hochul said New York has activated about 100 National Guard members in downstate areas ahead of the storm. Crews are being positioned statewide for ploughing and emergency response.
“We expect the longest cold stretch and highest snow totals in years,” Hochul said Sunday. New York announced closures of schools, museums and libraries across the State on Sunday and Monday as the winter storm hit the region.n.
Connecticut Governor, Ned Lamont, said a statewide ban on commercial vehicles, including trucks, tractor-trailers, tankers and vehicles towing trailers, is now in effect on state roads until further notice.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey urged residents to stay off the roads as the storm worsens.
“This is not a storm to be out in,” Healey said, adding that the snow could last well into Monday, with up to 20 inches falling over the following 36 hours.
Many states have announced Monday as a work-from-home day for nonessential state employees and activated a “Code Blue”.
Under state regulations, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill are below 32 degrees.
