As a result of the storm that hit the USA, 24 states have declared a state of emergency. Approximately one million residents are without electricity, and transportation across the eastern part of the country is severely disrupted, reports the BBC.
On Sunday, over 10,000 flights were canceled, and more than 930 flights were delayed due to bad weather conditions.
According to data presented on a special website, more than a million subscribers have lost power, with the highest number of outages recorded in southern states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
Snowfalls are expected over a vast area covering the Ohio River Valley and northeastern regions of the country. In the southern USA, icing is causing power line breaks and falling trees.
Local residents in northern Texas report that the streets have become like ice rinks.
Authorities in 24 states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, North and South Carolina, explained the declaration of a state of emergency as necessary for preparing for large-scale recovery efforts after the storm.
Forecasters predict that snowfalls will continue through Sunday night into Monday, after which a prolonged period of severe cold and icy rains is expected, significantly complicating the work of emergency services.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reports: “Snow and sleet will persist into next week, and refreezing will make surfaces dangerous for travel.”
Weather anomalies will affect more than 200 million Americans.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm will cover much of the country and could have serious consequences.
Transportation departments in the USA, including airport administrations in major cities, have warned of possible communication issues.
Stores across the country have quickly emptied, as residents prepare for the possibility of being cut off from the outside world in their homes in the coming days.
This is not snow, but a mountain of salt that the authorities in Massachusetts intend to use on the roads
According to the NWS (National Weather Service), some regions are expected to receive more than 30 cm of snow, covering areas from Colorado to West Virginia and Boston.
In some areas of northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York, including New York City itself, 25-36 cm of snow is expected. Heavy snowfall has also affected Memphis, Nashville, Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
New York City Mayor Zohra Mamdani noted that by Monday morning, heavy precipitation should have passed, although rain may continue throughout the day.
She also warned that residents should expect "severe cold" in addition to significant snow cover.
“This will not just be snow. This storm will bring intense cold — a prolonged period of extremely low temperatures that will last throughout the following week,” added Mamdani.
Winter storm does not upset everyone, children happily came with their sleds to Central Park in New York City
This weekend, the city mobilized thousands of sanitation workers, 700 salt-spreading trucks, and more than 2,000 snowplows, Mamdani reported.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered that state employees working in northern counties who are not involved in storm recovery efforts work from home until Tuesday.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, municipal services are attempting to clear the sidewalks of snow
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger called on residents on Saturday to prepare for the impending storm, which has already covered significant areas of the state.
“Please use these last hours to prepare: make sure you have blankets, warmth, and food supplies to weather this storm,” Spanberger said. “Every Virginian should avoid travel at least until Monday morning.”
President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Saturday: “We will monitor the situation and stay in touch with all states in the path of this storm. Be careful and don’t freeze!”
Meanwhile, Canada is also experiencing low temperatures, and snow is expected in the eastern and Atlantic regions on Monday.
