A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to more than 20 states. The storm has been described as one of the worst in years, with daily life badly affected across large parts of the country.
At least 13 people have lost their lives due to accidents and cold-related conditions. Millions of Americans are facing dangerous weather, with around 200 million people under cold weather alerts. Many areas are seeing temperatures far below normal, making travel and daily activities extremely difficult.
Heavy snow and thick ice have damaged power lines, leaving nearly one million homes without electricity. Southern and northeastern states are among the hardest hit, where ice storms have caused major outages. Emergency teams are working to restore power, but progress is slow due to unsafe conditions.
Air travel has also been badly disrupted. More than 19,000 flights were canceled, making it one of the worst days for aviation since the pandemic. Airports across the country are struggling as runways remain covered in snow and ice.
Snowfall levels have been extreme in many regions. New York City recorded over seven inches of snow, while some areas in the Northeast and New England received up to two and a half feet. Roads, highways, and public transport systems have been severely affected.
Weather officials have warned that the danger is not over yet. Another wave of Arctic cold air is moving in, and more storms could hit parts of the East Coast in the coming days. Power grid authorities have also warned of possible more outages as energy demand continues to rise.
Authorities are urging people to stay indoors, avoid travel, and take safety measures as the country faces this ongoing winter emergency.