There is a storm paralyzing the United States: The extreme cold wave affecting roughly half the country’s population is causing severe economic disruptions and damage that cannot yet be fully quantified, but is expected to be highly significant.
Air travel across the U.S. nearly ground to a halt Sunday, as airlines canceled more than 8,800 flights, bringing the total number of cancellations since the weekend to nearly 14,000. Memphis, Oklahoma City, Dallas–Fort Worth, LaGuardia, Boston Logan and Newark Liberty were among the airports affected. Airlines waived cancellation fees and urged passengers to rebook for safer days, while the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey opened emergency centers at three airports to assist stranded travelers.
Power outages mirrored the chaos in aviation. By early evening Saturday, about 130,000 people were without electricity, mainly in Texas, Louisiana and Virginia. “We have tens of thousands of people in southern states who have been affected and lost power. Utility crews are working to restore service as quickly as possible,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Sky News. Federal officials said 50,000 utility workers had been pre-positioned in 36 states, and 30 search-and-rescue teams were on standby.
The outages followed relentless ice accumulation, which the National Weather Service warned could exceed three centimeters from eastern Texas to North Carolina, bringing down trees and power lines. Forecasters said subfreezing temperatures would slow repairs and could leave hundreds of thousands without power for days.
The National Weather Service advised households to stock up on at least three days’ worth of food and water and to protect pipes from bursting. Grocery stores saw a surge in shopping even before the first snowflakes fell. In Arlington, Virginia, poultry coolers were nearly empty, and staples such as water, bread and toilet paper vanished from shelves across southern states.
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Stocking up on essentials before the worst of the storm hits
(Photo: Julio Cortez / AP)
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The total number of flight cancellations since the weekend is at nearly 14,000
(Photo: Brett Carlsen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
“The fear of running out of essential goods and the subconscious fear that others have already bought them can turn panic buying into a self-fulfilling prophecy,” said Professor Hersh Shefrin, a behavioral economics expert, in an interview with USA Today. Supermarket chains rushed to put batteries, blankets, and canned goods on display, as shoppers feared isolation due to power outages or road closures.
At least 20 states and Washington, D.C., declared states of emergency, and nine activated National Guard units. Governors urged residents to stay home. The movement of goods and people on highways was also disrupted, with sections of interstate roads closed after freezing rain turned pavement into sheets of ice. Transportation departments released images of abandoned vehicles outside Dallas and Jackson. Train passengers are also facing disruptions, as the Federal Railroad Administration works to keep lines open while advising travelers to check frequently changing schedules.
First published: 15:23, 01.25.26