Severe Winter Storm Hits U.S.: Flights Canceled, Power Outages Across Multiple States

A severe winter storm has created dangerous conditions across the United States, stretching from Texas to New England. On Sunday, thousands of flights were canceled as the storm swept from the South to the Northeast, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay off the roads. Power outages were reported in numerous areas due to the storm.

The storm brought widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Officials warned that an accompanying Arctic cold front would keep temperatures dangerously low for several days, potentially disrupting daily life.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast continued snow and sleet throughout the coming week, warning that roads and walkways may remain icy for extended periods.

Fatalities have already been reported. Louisiana’s Department of Health confirmed two deaths due to hypothermia, while New York Mayor Johraan Mamdani reported finding five bodies outside the city over the weekend, although it is unclear if these were directly weather-related.

According to PowerOutage.com, over 10 million customers nationwide experienced power outages as of Sunday afternoon. In Tennessee, ice accumulation damaged power lines, leaving over 300,000 residents and businesses without electricity. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia also experienced significant outages, affecting hundreds of thousands. The extreme cold makes power disruptions especially hazardous in the southern states.

The NWS warned that this severe winter event could break records. Residents from Texas to North Carolina and New York were urged to remain indoors. Texas Emergency Management advised on X (formerly Twitter) that people avoid leaving home unless absolutely necessary.

As the storm moved northeast on Sunday, cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston experienced heavy snow and sleet. At least 20 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., declared emergencies, with several inches of snow reported on sidewalks and roads in the capital.

Federal offices in affected areas were preemptively closed on Monday, and major airports in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York canceled nearly all flights. Flight tracking site FlightAware.com reported over 11,000 cancellations on Sunday, in addition to thousands canceled on the previous day. Approximately 2,500 flights were already canceled for Monday.

In response, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that the White House is monitoring conditions and maintaining communication with states in the storm’s path, urging all Americans to stay safe and warm.