The snowstorm that hit the country has caused widespread problems, including power outages for millions of residents, a transport collapse in the eastern part of the USA, and the cancellation of over 10,000 flights.
According to a website tracking power outages, more than a million subscribers are currently without electricity, with the highest numbers in the southern states.
Snowfalls are expected over vast areas from Ohio to the northeast of the country. In the south, ice damage is occurring to power lines and trees.
Local residents, especially in the northern areas of Texas, report that the streets have become as slippery as ice rinks.
Authorities in 24 states, including Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina, have declared a state of emergency to prepare for extensive recovery efforts following the storm.
Forecasters predict that snowfalls will continue throughout Sunday and into Monday night, followed by a prolonged period of severe cold and freezing rain. This significantly complicates the work of emergency services.
“Snow and sleet will continue into next week, and refreezing will create dangerous driving conditions,” said the National Weather Service (NWS).
It is expected that more than 200 million Americans will face the consequences of this abnormal weather.
According to meteorologists, this storm will affect significant areas of the country and bring destructive consequences.
Transport services, including airports in major cities, warn of possible collapses due to worsening weather conditions.
Grocery store shelves have rapidly emptied as residents prepare for the possibility of being isolated in their homes for several days.
Forecasts indicate snowfalls exceeding 30 cm are expected from Colorado to Boston.
In some areas of New Jersey and New York, including New York City itself, snowfalls of 25 to 36 cm are anticipated. Heavy precipitation will also affect Memphis, Nashville, Washington, and Philadelphia.
“By Monday morning, intense precipitation should ease, although rain may continue throughout the day,” said New York Mayor Zohra Mamdani.
She also added that city residents will face not only snow but also severe frosts.
“It’s not just snow, but a prolonged cold period that will last throughout the next week,” noted Mamdani.
Over the weekend, New York authorities deployed thousands of sanitation workers, as well as 700 salt-spreading trucks and more than two thousand snowplows.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered that state employees working in northern counties be allowed to stay home until Tuesday.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger urged residents on Saturday to prepare for the impending storm.
“Please use this time to prepare: make sure you have blankets, warmth, and food supplies to weather this storm,” she said, adding that residents should refrain from traveling at least until Monday morning.
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday: “We will monitor the situation and stay in touch with all the states that will be affected by this storm. Take care of yourselves and don’t freeze!”
Meanwhile, Canada is also experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures, and snowfall is expected in the eastern and Atlantic regions on Monday.
