Winter Storm Brings Chaos to Half of the US Population as Millions Struggle to Stay Warm and Safe.
A powerful winter storm is barreling down on the southern and eastern United States, expected to affect over 160 million people – roughly half of the country's population. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for heavy snow, freezing rain, and sleet, which will begin in the Southern Rockies on Friday and spread up through the Northeast over the weekend.
As the storm approaches, authorities are bracing for the worst. In Texas and Oklahoma, less accustomed to snowy conditions, officials are preparing roads for icy conditions by salting them, mobilizing local law enforcement and utility workers, and canceling schools. The Houston Mayor has warned of a "perfect storm" that could leave residents without power or the ability to leave their neighborhoods.
The impact of the storm is already being felt, with over 800 flights within, into, or out of the US delayed or canceled. Travelers can expect treacherous conditions starting late Friday afternoon and lasting through the weekend.
The National Weather Service has forecast a foot of snow expected to fall from Oklahoma to Washington, DC, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts. A blast of cold air will follow, bringing wind chills as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.
With temperatures plummeting, the state of emergency declarations continue to pile up – 14 states have declared emergencies so far, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Governor Kathy Hochul from New York warned that "complacency can be deadly" as she declared a state of emergency across the state. Meanwhile, Governor Abigail Spanberger urged Virginians to prepare for days without power or mobility, stressing the importance of accessing emergency services without fear of immigration enforcement.
As shoppers rush to stock up on supplies before the storm hits, businesses are bracing for a long and challenging weekend ahead. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has advised residents to charge their power banks, carry backup medicine, and plan for school and work disruptions.
In a bizarre twist, former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform to downplay climate change, inaccurately suggesting that the cold weather proves global warming is false. As millions struggle to stay warm and safe, it's clear that this winter storm will be one to remember – but let's focus on staying informed and looking out for each other as we navigate these treacherous conditions.
A powerful winter storm is barreling down on the southern and eastern United States, expected to affect over 160 million people – roughly half of the country's population. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for heavy snow, freezing rain, and sleet, which will begin in the Southern Rockies on Friday and spread up through the Northeast over the weekend.
As the storm approaches, authorities are bracing for the worst. In Texas and Oklahoma, less accustomed to snowy conditions, officials are preparing roads for icy conditions by salting them, mobilizing local law enforcement and utility workers, and canceling schools. The Houston Mayor has warned of a "perfect storm" that could leave residents without power or the ability to leave their neighborhoods.
The impact of the storm is already being felt, with over 800 flights within, into, or out of the US delayed or canceled. Travelers can expect treacherous conditions starting late Friday afternoon and lasting through the weekend.
The National Weather Service has forecast a foot of snow expected to fall from Oklahoma to Washington, DC, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts. A blast of cold air will follow, bringing wind chills as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.
With temperatures plummeting, the state of emergency declarations continue to pile up – 14 states have declared emergencies so far, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Governor Kathy Hochul from New York warned that "complacency can be deadly" as she declared a state of emergency across the state. Meanwhile, Governor Abigail Spanberger urged Virginians to prepare for days without power or mobility, stressing the importance of accessing emergency services without fear of immigration enforcement.
As shoppers rush to stock up on supplies before the storm hits, businesses are bracing for a long and challenging weekend ahead. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has advised residents to charge their power banks, carry backup medicine, and plan for school and work disruptions.
In a bizarre twist, former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform to downplay climate change, inaccurately suggesting that the cold weather proves global warming is false. As millions struggle to stay warm and safe, it's clear that this winter storm will be one to remember – but let's focus on staying informed and looking out for each other as we navigate these treacherous conditions.
the weather is literally crazy!! 1/2 the country is gonna be in the dark and shivering lolol what a perfect storm indeed 
the goverment is doing its best to prepare but it feels like theyre playing catch up. dont get me wrong, climate change is real and we should all be worried 
meanwhile, can someone pls tell me where i can cop some warm socks? 
. It's not easy to deal with, especially if you're in an area that's not used to this kind of thing. I just hope everyone stays safe and warm, and that the authorities can help get everything under control as soon as possible 
. This storm is definitely one for the books, but let's try to focus on looking out for each other rather than spreading misinformation or fear 
.
... like who isn't? 160 million ppl are gonna be affected 
... some governors are declaring emergencies because of it... people need to stay safe & charge their power banks 
meanwhile ppl r struggling to stay warm & safe, cant even get power or leave their neighborhoods without risking their lives. priorities ppl! 
just when the country needs a united front against this crazy storm, trump is over here spreading misinformation 
. this storm is bad enough without adding fear and mistrust into the mix 
what we really need right now is for ppl to come together & support each other 
. 160 million people is like having a whole army of grumpy zombies on one side of the country – not good for anyone! And I gotta ask, who needs climate change denial when you've got a -50°F wind chill? That's just cold turkey (get it?) 
. On a serious note, though, 14 states declaring emergencies is like sending out an SOS signal in all caps: WE NEED HELP OVER HERE! 
. I mean, can't we just invest in some renewable energy sources already?! 
It's crazy that someone like Donald Trump is trying to downplay climate change when we're literally in the middle of a winter storm causing chaos across half of the country 
. Anyway, I'm hoping everyone stays safe and warm this weekend - if you've got a portable charger, charge up those power banks and keep your loved ones stocked on snacks 
. don't get me wrong, it's not surprising that TX & OK are getting slammed since they're not used to snow, but still... winter storm is no joke 
. hope everyone stays safe & gets the support they need 
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