Winter Storm Causes Widespread Power Outages and Disruptions Across the U.S.
A powerful winter storm has left hundreds of thousands of people without power and caused significant disruptions across the United States. The storm brought frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to tens of millions of Americans, impacting nearly half the nation's population. At least 18 deaths have been attributed to the severe weather conditions.
The storm's impact was particularly severe in the South, where ice-covered trees and power lines knocked out electricity for over a million customers. As of mid-morning on Monday, over 800,000 homes and businesses were still without power, although this number decreased to below 700,000 by early afternoon. The ongoing freeze is complicating efforts to restore electricity, with utility companies urging patience and warning that tree-related issues persist.
Officials are urging people to stay off the roads until the ice melts, which could take several days. The risk of power outages and hazardous road conditions is expected to continue, with temperatures remaining dangerously cold throughout the week, especially at night. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have issued warnings and called for residents to stay safe and seek warming centers if necessary.
In Mississippi, state emergency officials are distributing essential supplies such as generators, fuel, cots, blankets, food, and water to affected counties. The University of Mississippi has also canceled classes in Oxford until Sunday. Massachusetts has seen over 20 inches of snow, leading to school and government office closures. The storm has caused significant travel disruptions, with over 12,000 airline flights canceled on Sunday and more than 5,000 by mid-day on Monday, according to FlightAware. New York's LaGuardia Airport was closed on Sunday afternoon, and a private jet crash in Bangor, Maine, during a snowstorm resulted in seven fatalities, with one crew member surviving.
