As a result of the storm, which caused heavy snowfall and a sharp drop in temperatures, a state of emergency has been declared in 24 states, according to the BBC.
On Sunday, according to airlines, more than 10,000 flights were canceled, and over 930 flights were delayed due to poor weather conditions.
According to data from a resource tracking power outages, more than 1 million users were left without electricity, especially in southern states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
Weather forecasts indicate heavy snowfall expected over a vast area from the Ohio River valley to the northeast of the country. In the south, ice accumulation is causing power line breaks and falling trees.
Local residents, especially in northern Texas, report that the streets have become nearly impassable.
According to CNN, at least seven people have died due to the abnormal cold.
Governors of 24 states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, explained the introduction of the state of emergency as a necessity to prepare for large-scale recovery efforts after the storm.
Forecasters predict that snowfall will continue on Sunday and into Monday night, followed by a prolonged period of severe cold, ice rain, and gusty winds, which will create additional difficulties for emergency services.
“Rain and snow will continue into next week, and refreezing will make surfaces slippery and unsafe for travel,” noted the National Weather Service (NWS).
It is expected that more than 200 million Americans will face the consequences of this weather anomaly.
According to the NWS, the storm will affect much of the country and could lead to devastating consequences.
Transportation agencies, including airport administrations in major cities, are warning of a possible collapse of the transportation system.
Store shelves across the country are rapidly being emptied, and residents are preparing for the possibility of being isolated in their homes in the coming days.
According to the NWS precipitation forecast, areas expecting more than 30 cm of snow stretch from Colorado to West Virginia and Boston.
In northeastern New Jersey and the southeastern part of New York, including New York City, 25 to 36 cm of snow is expected. Heavy snowfall has also affected Memphis, Nashville, Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
“By Monday morning, the heaviest precipitation will have already stopped, although light snow may continue throughout the day,” commented New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
He also added that residents should expect “severe cold” in addition to significant snowfall.
“This is not just snow. This storm will bring intense cold — a prolonged period of extremely low temperatures that will persist throughout next week,” noted Adams.
Over the weekend, the city mobilized thousands of sanitation workers, 700 salt spreaders, and more than two thousand snowplows.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered that state employees working in northern counties, who are not involved in storm recovery efforts, work from home until Tuesday.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger earlier on Saturday urged residents to prepare for the impending storm, which has already affected large areas of the state.
“Please use the remaining hours to prepare: make sure you have blankets, heat, and food supplies to get through this storm,” Spanberger urged. “Every resident of Virginia should refrain from traveling at least until Monday morning.”
President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday: “We will monitor the situation and stay in touch with all states in the path of this storm. Be careful and don’t freeze!”
Meanwhile, Canada is also experiencing low temperatures, and snowfalls are expected in the eastern and Atlantic regions on Monday.
