America Faces Worst Winter Storm: Thousands of Flights Canceled and Power Outages
The United States is experiencing a comprehensive state of emergency, as an unprecedented winter storm approaches the country from west to east, causing partial paralysis in travel and widespread power outages.
As of this Sunday morning, more than 13,000 flights have been canceled across various U.S. states, according to the "FlightAware" flight tracking website, while approximately 230,000 people have been affected by power outages in states from the West to Texas, with expectations of worsening conditions in the coming days.
The National Weather Service has issued severe warnings, cautioning against heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and catastrophic ice, extending from New Mexico to North Carolina, with a slow melting of snow expected to hinder recovery efforts.
Weather experts have warned that snow and freezing rain accompanied by extreme cold will cover two-thirds of the eastern regions of the country today and throughout the week.
At the same time, President Donald Trump announced that the storm is "historic," and approved the issuance of federal emergency warnings in 12 states, while 17 states declared a state of emergency to cope with the severe weather, urging citizens to stay safe and warm at home.
Statistics from the power tracking site show that most outages occurred in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee, while travel has been significantly affected, with more than 4,000 flights canceled yesterday, Saturday, in addition to 9,400 scheduled flights for Sunday, nearing the levels of impact seen during the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel.
Local governors in more than 12 states issued strict warnings, emphasizing the storm's danger to highways and infrastructure, while millions remain under the burden of severe weather and accumulated snow.
The United States today faces a new challenge from nature, with a harsh winter that may leave a long-lasting impact on daily movement, energy, and infrastructure.
