Massive Winter Storm Paralyzes Northeast US, Prompting Travel Bans and Power Outages
A major winter storm has swept across the northeastern US, blanketing multiple states with heavy snowfall, closing down New York City, and prompting travel bans. The blizzard-like conditions have affected millions of residents, grounding thousands of flights, disrupting public transportation, and causing widespread power outages. Two fatalities have been reported as a result of the storm.
Unprecedented Snowfall Across the Region
The storm, described by meteorologists as the strongest in a decade, began on Sunday and intensified into Monday, with snow falling at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour. Some areas received over a foot of snow, while Rhode Island saw record-breaking totals of more than three feet, surpassing the historic blizzard of 1978.
The snowstorm is as bad as I've seen it,
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was quoted by the New York Times, citing nearly 300,000 power outages throughout the state and about 350 cars stuck on roads, some with drivers still in them.
Comprehensive Shutdowns and Travel Bans
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani ordered a citywide travel ban, shutting down the entire traffic network for all but emergency travel. This marks the city's first blizzard warning in nine years. Public transit systems, including subways, trains, and buses, were canceled or severely delayed from New Jersey to Massachusetts, leaving millions of residents stuck at home.
The impact on air travel was significant, with approximately 3,000 flights canceled due to the storm. The blizzard also prompted the Boston Globe to suspend its print edition for the first time in 153 years, due to staff being unable to safely reach the printing plant.
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Concerns
As the storm subsides, the region is beginning recovery efforts, with cities across the northeast US digging out from the snow. However, hundreds of thousands are still without power, and schools and businesses are only slowly coming back online. The National Weather Service warns that blizzard conditions may soon hit the already paralyzed region once more.
The gigantic snowstorm this week across the Northeast United States has dropped piles of snow from Maryland to Maine,
reported The Hindu, emphasizing the scale of the cleanup efforts needed.
The extreme weather has also taken a human toll, with BBC News reporting two deaths caused by a tree falling on a car during the storm.
Current Status
While the region struggles to recover from the record-breaking snowfall, local authorities are urging residents to stay at home and avoid non-emergency travel. The situation is still evolving, with further developments expected as a fresh storm approaches the already snow-covered northeast US. The extreme weather serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the challenges posed by climate change.