One of the most powerful winter storms in recent years is currently affecting the United States. Storm 'Fern' has covered much of the country, causing ice, heavy snowfall, and widespread power outages, which have also led to significant disruptions in the transportation system. This is reported by American news sources.
Since the beginning of last week, weather conditions, including snow, ice, and a sharp drop in temperature, have caused overloads in the power grids. As a result, over a million people have been left without electricity, especially in southern and central states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
The main factors for the outages have been heavy snowfall and the formation of ice on power lines, leading to wire breakage. Restoration of power supply in many areas is complicated, and meteorologists warn that adverse weather conditions will last for several more days.
The storm has also caused significant disruptions in the transportation system: more than 14,000 flights have been canceled or delayed, marking the largest aviation disaster since the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest number of cancellations has been recorded at airports in major cities such as New York, Washington, and Dallas.
More than 20 states have declared a state of emergency.
In New York, where snow accumulation exceeds half a meter, schools are closed, and state and municipal institutions have switched to remote work. The National Guard has been deployed to assist with the aftermath.
According to the latest reports, the storm has claimed the lives of at least seven people. Fatalities due to cold and adverse conditions have been recorded in several states, including New York and Louisiana.
The National Weather Service continues to warn that snowfall, icing, and abnormally low temperatures will persist over a significant portion of the country in the coming days.
