Winter storm hits America: State of emergency declared in 16 states and thousands of flights canceled
The United States is on high alert as winter storm across large parts of the country, beginning in New Mexico and Texas on Saturday with a dangerous mix of heavy snow and freezing rain. The storm's effects have extended to the northeastern United States, threatening the lives of millions and causing near-total paralysis of transportation.
The disaster expanded and a state of emergency was declared
In a rapidly unfolding situation, US authorities declared a state of emergency in at least 16 states, as well as Washington, D.C., in anticipation of the impact of what the National Weather Service described as a weather event that should be taken "very seriously." US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the storm's direct and indirect effects could reach some 240 million Americans, reflecting the vast geographic reach of this cold air mass stretching from the Southwest to Maine in the far Northeast.
The specter of the energy crisis and memories of 2021
This storm is causing deep concern among residents of Texas, in particular, as it brings back memories of the devastating winter storm Ory in 2021, which caused widespread power outages and hundreds of deaths. In an effort to reassure residents, government officials have emphasized that Texas's power grid is currently in much better condition than it was five years ago. However, forecasters have warned of the potential for catastrophic ice accumulations from freezing rain, which could lead to widespread power outages as the weight of the ice weighs down power lines and trees.
Paralysis in air traffic and disruption to the economy
The storm's damage wasn't limited to ground infrastructure; it also severely impacted air travel. FlightAware, a website specializing in tracking air traffic, reported the cancellation of over 3,400 flights to and from the United States and the delay of more than 1,100 others. This disruption is expected to have significant economic repercussions, as major winter storms typically cause millions of dollars in losses for airlines and negatively affect supply chains and commercial shipping.
Official warnings and federal response
In Dallas, where temperatures plummeted to six degrees below zero, freezing rain blanketed the city's streets, prompting Houston Mayor John Whitmayer to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid going out except for essential reasons for the next 72 hours. President Donald Trump, via TruthSocial, confirmed he was maintaining contact with the affected states and urged citizens to stay safe.
Weather forecasts indicate that the extremely cold air mass will continue to affect the region until next week, with frequent freezing temperatures making roads and surfaces extremely slippery and dangerous, prompting the federal government to close its offices on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of employees.
