Winter Storm Emergency: USA Braces for Impact

A dozen states have declared a state of emergency out of fear of the impact of what is believed to be one of the worst winter storms in years to hit the United States. The measure applies in whole or in part to New York, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri, as the governors of the respective states announced.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke on Friday on the online service X of a “historic winter storm.” According to them, it could affect more than 230 US citizens in 34 states over the weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across much of the United States over the weekend. The acute storm situation is expected to last until at least Monday, followed by a period of frost and “catastrophic” black ice.

“This is a dangerous combination of lots of snow and extremely low temperatures,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. By declaring a state of emergency, US states can – if necessary – mobilize aid funds and personnel much more quickly. Numerous events have already been canceled across the country for the coming days as a precautionary measure.

“The next ten days of winter will be the worst in 40 years in the United States,” warned meteorologist Ryan Maue on the online service X. The authorities expect massive traffic disruptions and power outages due to extremely low temperatures and strong gusts of wind. Snow is expected to fall even in southern states like Texas and Louisiana.

Accompanied by heavy snow and icy winds, the approaching storm will spread over a distance of around 3,000 kilometers from New Mexico in the southwest to Maine in the northeast over the weekend, the weather service warned. The media spoke of a “monster storm”.

According to the tracking service Flightaware, more than 1,500 flights were canceled for the weekend as a precaution. Passengers are offered the opportunity to rebook free of charge. To be on the safe side, numerous schools also canceled classes on Friday.

Lufthansa also canceled numerous flights to and from North America on Saturday. According to a spokeswoman, connections to Washington, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Charlotte are still affected on Sunday. Only isolated delays are expected at numerous other airports in the west, south and north of the continent on Sunday. The affected passengers would be informed about the cancellations and alternative travel options.

There are also fears that massive power outages will occur, for example due to trees snapping or because the above-ground lines could break due to the weight of lightning ice.

Weather warnings or special information apply to around 160 million residents. The authorities called on people not to leave their homes and to leave their cars behind. New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned that the expected cold could be “absolutely deadly.” In parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, temperatures could fall to minus 45 degrees Celsius (minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the weather service.

Homeland Security Secretary Noem said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had prepared and provided “30 power generators, 250,000 meals, 400,000 liters of water, as well as blankets, baby food and other necessary supplies.” Noem came under fire in July for initiating cuts to Fema following devastating floods in Texas that killed at least 120 people.

US President Donald Trump used the weather forecast to once again attack climate experts. “Could the environmental activists please explain — WHAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???,” the Republican wrote on the Truth Social platform. However, climate change does not mean that there will no longer be cold snaps or winter storms, but rather that temperatures are increasing on a long-term average. According to experts, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is increasing as a result of climate change. This also includes storms and heavy rainfall.