A massive winter storm has left over 160,000 electricity customers without power across the United States, while more than 4,000 flights were canceled on Saturday, with thousands more at risk in coming days.
Forecasters warned that snow, sleet, and freezing rain, combined with dangerously cold temperatures, will sweep through the eastern two-thirds of the country, creating hazardous conditions for residents and travelers alike.
President Donald Trump declared federal emergency disaster status in seventeen states and the District of Columbia, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.
He urged Americans to monitor updates, stay safe, and prepare for extreme weather, while utility crews worked around the clock to restore power and prevent further outages.
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The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, allowing backup generation resources to support critical facilities and minimize disruptions across the state’s power grid.
Authorities emphasized that the storm could bring ice accumulation, widespread blackouts, and record low temperatures, particularly affecting the Southeast and Great Plains regions over the next several days.
Air travel has been heavily impacted, with Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines proactively canceling flights and relocating staff to assist with de-icing and baggage handling, while warning passengers to prepare for abrupt schedule changes.
Flight cancellations are expected to continue into Sunday and early next week as airports struggle to cope with icy runways and disrupted operations across multiple states.
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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the rising number of outages, noting that Louisiana and Texas were the hardest hit, while utility and emergency teams coordinated closely to restore services and protect communities.
Noem also advised Americans to stock up on food and fuel and take precautions against the extreme cold, highlighting the storm’s unusual intensity and prolonged duration.
The National Weather Service described the storm as historic, cautioning of locally catastrophic impacts, especially from ice and frigid wind chills, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and cooperation as states brace for severe conditions.
Officials urged residents to remain indoors when possible, avoid travel unless necessary, and follow local updates to reduce risk and ensure safety during the prolonged winter emergency.