A powerful winter storm is bearing down on the United States, with 16 states and Washington DC declaring emergencies ahead of the weekend. The system is expected to affect at least 230 million people as it moves from the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains across southern and midwestern areas, then up the east coast to Maine.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain are forecast, with accumulations exceeding 12 inches likely in the Ohio valley, mid-Atlantic and north-east, according to the National Weather Service. Southern states unaccustomed to prolonged cold are bracing for power failures and supply shortages, with authorities warning of treacherous roads and potential power line damage from ice.
Governors have activated emergency declarations to free up financial reserves. States include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky. The American Red Cross warned the public to prepare, as residents stocked up on bottled water, generators, food and blankets.
President Donald Trump posted on social media questioning global warming amid the cold snap. However, scientists note that the climate crisis disrupts the polar vortex, bringing more extreme cold events. The Red Cross stated that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, making heavy snowfalls more likely.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has halted planned staff cuts, with its National Response Coordination Center activated for the storm. Fema said it is following standard protocol to ensure mission functions are met.
