Washington, DC – A powerful winter storm has triggered widespread emergency response across the United States. Eighteen states have declared a state of emergency, coinciding with major disruptions to air travel and the cancellation of thousands of flights. Warnings have also been issued regarding the severe weather’s impact on public safety and infrastructure. According to US authorities, the storm spans a wide geographical area from the South to the Northeast, affecting more than 180 million people, from New Mexico in the west to Maine in the east.
Weather forecasts predict heavy snowfall, potentially reaching 12 inches, in the Ohio Valley and parts of the East Coast. Additionally, dangerous ice formations are expected, posing a threat to road safety and power grids, and increasing the likelihood of power outages in several areas. States declaring states of emergency include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. A state of emergency has also been declared in Washington, D.C.
On the aviation front, more than 2,300 flights were canceled on Saturday. The number of cancellations is expected to rise in the coming hours, particularly at major airports such as Dallas and Atlanta. Major airlines, including Delta, have announced the suspension of several flights in the affected states. These companies are also working to automatically reschedule passengers. Meanwhile, local authorities and relief agencies have begun taking extensive precautionary measures. These measures include preparing emergency stockpiles of hundreds of thousands of meals and drinking water, and increasing the readiness of rescue and emergency teams. Schools and federal offices in Washington, D.C., will be closed on Monday. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel due to the risks of ice, frost, and freezing temperatures.
