Major Winter Storm Hits US, Causing Power Outages for Millions and Canceling Over 10,000 Flights

A severe winter storm swept through eastern and southern states, leaving over 850,000 customers without electricity and resulting in nearly 10,200 flight cancellations on Sunday. More than 4,000 flights were canceled the previous day alone.

The storm affected numerous states including Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, as well as Washington D.C., which saw all its airlines cancel operations at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Delta Air Lines adjusted its schedule to accommodate weather conditions and prepared support teams for southern airports if needed.

Forecasters predicted up to 18 inches of snow in New England and rain and freezing rain across the Southeast. The storm also brought dangerously cold temperatures from the southern plains to the Northeast, leading to prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts.

President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations for seventeen states and the District of Columbia affected by the storms. DHS Secretary Kristen Noem warned of bitterly cold conditions and encouraged people to stock up on essential supplies such as fuel and food.

US electric grid operators took precautionary measures to prevent rotating blackouts, with Dominion Energy particularly concerned about their ice forecast in Virginia, where they have a significant number of data centers.