Trump urges Americans to stay safe as winter storm disrupts flights, power supplies and daily life across the US
New Delhi: A massive and powerful winter storm, widely known as Winter Storm Fern, is sweeping across a huge part of the United States and causing widespread disruption. As the storm intensifies, it is triggering large scale flight cancellations, power outages, emergency declarations and dangerously severe weather conditions. As a result, millions of people across the country are now facing one of the harshest winter weather events in recent years.
The storm system stretches from the Southern Plains, including Texas and Oklahoma, all the way to the Northeast and New England. Along its path, it is bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice storms and extreme cold, making daily life and travel extremely dangerous.
Warnings Across States
The National Weather Service has placed more than 140 million people, which is over 40 percent of the total US population, under winter storm warnings. These warnings extend from New Mexico through Texas, across the Midwest and into New England.
At the same time, forecasters say the storm is producing heavy snowfall, freezing rain and sleet, widespread ice accumulation, dangerously low temperatures and extreme wind chills. Because of these conditions, weather officials have described the situation as life threatening and have urged people to stay indoors and avoid non essential travel.
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Flights Cancelled Nationwide
Meanwhile, the storm has badly disrupted air travel throughout the United States.
Flight tracking data shows that around 13,000 flights scheduled on Saturday and Sunday were cancelled due to the storm. This has now become one of the worst aviation disruptions in the country in recent years.
Worst Hit Airports
Several major airport hubs have reported hundreds of cancellations. These include Dallas Fort Worth, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Boston and New York area airports.
In Oklahoma City, authorities cancelled all Saturday flights at Will Rogers International Airport. In addition, airlines also cancelled Sunday morning flights at the same airport.
Why Flights Stopped
Airlines cancelled thousands of flights because icy runways and taxiways made takeoffs and landings unsafe. Heavy snowfall and freezing rain reduced visibility and slowed airport operations. At the same time, aircraft and flight crews became stranded out of position. Temporary airport closures for safety reasons also added to the disruption.
Because of all these factors, airlines said they had no choice but to ground large numbers of flights.
Airlines Issue Waivers
In response to the crisis, major airlines including Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier and Spirit issued travel waivers. These waivers allow passengers to rebook flights without paying extra fees.
Delta Air Lines cancelled additional flights in Atlanta and along the East Coast. The airline also warned that dangerous weather conditions would continue to threaten weekend and early week travel.
At the same time, airlines cautioned that cancellations and delays could continue into Monday as the storm keeps moving eastward.
Snow And Ice Spread
Meanwhile, the storm has dumped heavy snow and ice across large areas of the country.
Some regions are expected to receive more than 12 inches or 30 centimetres of snow. In many places, ice storms have created extremely dangerous road conditions, snapped trees and damaged power lines. Freezing rain has also made driving treacherous across the South and Midwest.
Cold Air Follows
After the storm moved through several areas, bitterly cold air followed behind it. This cold air is now producing dangerously low temperatures and extreme wind chills, especially across the Great Plains and the Midwest.
As a result, the risk of frostbite and hypothermia has increased significantly.
Power Outages Rise
At the same time, the storm has placed enormous strain on power systems.
More than 160,000 customers have lost electricity, particularly in Texas, Louisiana and parts of the Southeast. Ice coated trees and power lines have collapsed under the weight of frozen precipitation.
Although utility crews are working to restore service, officials have warned that outages could last longer in the worst hit areas.
States Declare Emergency
Because of the worsening situation, governors across the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast have declared states of emergency to mobilize resources.
At least 12 states have received federal emergency disaster declarations, which unlock federal assistance. Authorities have deployed National Guard troops, emergency responders and repair crews. In addition, governments have pre positioned food, blankets, generators and medical supplies.
Trump Approves Emergencies
US President Donald Trump also addressed the crisis in a post on X.
He said he had approved emergency declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia.
Trump said his administration is working closely with FEMA, state governors and state emergency management teams to ensure public safety.
He urged Americans to remain cautious and added, “Stay safe, and stay warm.”
Public Safety Warnings
As conditions continued to worsen, officials urged residents to stay indoors, avoid non essential travel, stock up on food, water and medicines, prepare for prolonged power outages and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Meanwhile, police and highway agencies closed roads in several states because of ice and snow buildup.
Storm Impact Summary
- More than 140 million people are under winter storm warnings, which is over 40 percent of the US population.
- Around 13,000 flights have been cancelled nationwide.
- More than 160,000 customers are without power.
- More than 12 states have declared emergencies and received federal disaster support.
- The main dangers include heavy snow, ice storms, freezing rain, frigid temperatures and extreme wind chills.
Danger Still Ahead
Finally, meteorologists have warned that the storm will continue moving eastward and will spread dangerous conditions across more states.
Authorities have said conditions could worsen before they improve. They have advised people to remain alert, follow official weather updates and obey emergency instructions.
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