Airlines have canceled virtually all flights scheduled for Sunday at airports in the affected area.
The massive snowstorm affecting the central-eastern and northeastern United States has left more than 1,046,000 homes and businesses without electricity, while airlines have canceled more than 17,000 flights in the affected regions.
The number of customers affected by the power outage was provided by the website poweroutage.us, which highlights that the most affected state is Tennessee, with 307,000 customers; followed by Mississippi, with 178,000. Louisiana and Georgia follow, both with more than 100,000, as well as Texas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Alabama. Authorities have warned that the power outages could last for days due to the difficulties caused by the storm.
The “monstrous” storm, as it is being called by US media, has already traveled more than 3,700 kilometers in a northeasterly direction and has left nearly 200 million people under some type of weather alert. The storm is already the one that has placed the most counties under a winter storm warning since records began.
In addition, state and local authorities have ordered the suspension of in-person classes in large cities. In some cases, classes will be held digitally, remotely.
Forecasts predict that the bad weather will continue this Sunday and during the first days of next week, with minimum temperatures that could reach -45ºC, according to the National Weather Service, which has confirmed a tornado warning in southeastern Alabama and another in Florida.
At least 17 states and the District of Columbia have already declared a state of emergency to deal with the situation, which is expected to bring large amounts of snow to cities like New York and Boston, even up to 60 centimeters in parts of Kentucky and Virginia. “I have just approved Emergency Declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. We are working closely with FEMA, the governors, and state emergency management teams to ensure everyone’s safety. Stay safe and warm!” U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media.
In New York City, at least five people have died while on the streets, and although the causes of death have not yet been determined, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared that all New Yorkers in need will be accepted into municipal shelters. The latest forecasts predict at least 30 centimeters of snow for the city.
