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Unprecedented Winter Storm Paralyzes the United States
The United States is experiencing one of the most severe winter storms of the season, with 18 states declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of the impact from a massive snowstorm that has caused significant disruptions to transportation and daily life, particularly in the aviation sector.
The states that declared emergencies include: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, in addition to the capital, Washington D.C., amidst official warnings of heavy snowfall and ice hazards.
According to estimates, the storm is affecting over 180 million people, stretching from New Mexico in the south to Maine in the north, with forecasts predicting heavy snowfall of up to 12 centimeters in areas of the Ohio Valley and the East Coast, alongside freezing rain and thick ice threatening road safety and electrical grid stability.
In the aviation sector, more than 2,300 flights were canceled on Saturday, with expectations of thousands more cancellations on Sunday, especially at major airports such as Dallas and Atlanta. Major airlines, including Delta, suspended flights in several affected states and implemented automatic rescheduling policies for affected passengers.
In terms of emergency preparations, relief organizations have mobilized extensive resources, including the provision of approximately 250,000 meals and 400,000 liters of water in Louisiana, along with deploying rescue and emergency teams in anticipation of any hazardous developments.
Schools and federal offices in Washington D.C. were closed on Monday, with local and federal authorities urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, warning of the dangers of slipping, freezing conditions, and power outages in some areas.
Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s developments, while weather advisories remain in effect, amidst concerns of worsening conditions with the continuing severe weather in the coming days.
