Blizzard causes chaos across northeastern US and Great Lakes
A severe snowstorm has caused widespread disruption across the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region, severely impacting transportation and power supply. The blizzard, which began on Friday evening, intensified by Saturday, creating major difficulties for travelers during the busy holiday season.
As a result, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious.
Emergency declared in New York and New Jersey
Due to the worsening conditions, the governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency. Officials advised people to avoid non-essential travel and closely follow weather updates. Moreover, emergency services have been placed on high alert to handle potential accidents and disruptions.
Weather agencies warned that the storm could continue to affect daily life over the next few days.
Thousands of flights delayed and canceled nationwide
Air travel has been hit the hardest. According to aviation authorities, more than 5,580 flights were delayed across the United States in a single day. Additionally, at least 860 flights were canceled due to heavy snowfall and strong winds.
The impact has been severe at major airports in the New York metropolitan area. Flights at John F. Kennedy International Airport recorded average delays of nearly two hours, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
This disruption comes at a critical time, as an estimated 2.86 million people were expected to fly on Sunday.
Power outages leave thousands in darkness
Apart from transportation, the storm has also disrupted electricity supply. In Michigan, heavy snow accumulated on power lines, causing them to collapse. Consequently, around 30,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages as of Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued red alerts for several regions stretching from New York to Philadelphia, warning residents of dangerous travel conditions and possible further outages.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the storm shows no immediate signs of weakening.
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