As a snowstorm hit the United States, heavy snow and ice caused widespread power outages and flight cancellations. The snowstorm is expected to expand its reach and continue through the 26th.
According to the Washington Post (WP) and others, as of the morning of the 25th local time, more than 700,000 households in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee were struggling with power outages. In Tennessee, 250,000 households and commercial facilities lost power.
More than 10,000 flights were unable to take off in a single day. Including the previous day, more than 14,000 flights were canceled over the weekend. Damage was concentrated at airports in the East, including Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast 30 to 60 centimeters of snow in the U.S. Northeast, including New York and Boston.
After the storm passes, a severe cold wave is expected from the South to the Northeast. The Korea Meteorological Administration said, "People will face biting cold and dangerously low wind chills," adding, "This will result in hazardous travel conditions and prolonged damage across infrastructure."
President Donald Trump called it a "historic winter storm." He approved declarations of federal emergencies for 12 states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia.
On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We will continue to monitor the situation and stay in touch with all states in the path of this storm," adding, "Please stay safe and warm."
At the state level, at least 22 states and the capital, Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency so far. The Korea Meteorological Administration said, "Repeated icing will freeze roads and sidewalks, posing risks to drivers and pedestrians," and projected, "The impact of this snowstorm will continue into next week."
The federal government will close government agency offices in Washington, D.C., on the 26th. Employees were advised to work from home. Many schools are also considering closures.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on its website, "This powerful winter storm is likely to bring heavy snow, freezing rain and life-threatening wind chills," adding, "More than 230 million people across 34 states could be affected."