US faces over 14,000 flight cancellations as severe winter storm hits Eastern States | World News

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States led to the cancellation of more than 14,000 flights from Saturday through Monday, CNN reported. The extreme weather prompted President Donald Trump to issue an emergency declaration for ten states as authorities braced for dangerously cold conditions in the eastern two-thirds of the country.

In total, more than 14,800 flights have been canceled since Saturday, according to FlightAware. American Airlines canceled 43% of its scheduled flights, while Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines canceled 35% of its flights. On Saturday alone, there were more than 4,000 cancellations, primarily affecting Dallas and Charlotte, while on Monday, more than 1,600 cancellations were recorded, mostly in New York and Boston.

Trump approved emergency declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia. He said officials are working closely with FEMA, governors and state emergency management teams “to keep everyone safe.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm would bring subzero temperatures from the northern and central plains to the northeast, and freezing conditions would extend as far south as the Gulf Coast. “Extremely cold temperatures will increase across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, and very cold weather will persist throughout next week,” the NWS said, advising residents to prepare for “life-threatening cold” as wind chill and prolonged exposure can cause hypothermia and frostbite.

The NWS also warned that heavy snowfall, sleet and freezing rain would have significant impacts across much of the eastern half of the country. “The storm will spread across the Mid-Atlantic states tonight, then into the Northeast late Sunday,” the agency added.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged residents to avoid travel whenever possible and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

The storm, which spanned more than 1,300 miles and was expected to affect more than 2,000 miles from Texas to New England, caused widespread ice accumulation and power outages across the South. Thunder and lightning were reported in areas with heavy freezing rain and sleet. More than half of Americans are expected to experience subzero wind chills, leaving those without power especially vulnerable.

The NWS has issued winter storm warnings in affected areas, and emergency declarations are currently in place in more than 17 states. Officials continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to stay indoors as much as possible.

(with ANI entries)