Nearly 10,000 Flights Canceled Amid Winter Storm/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A massive winter storm sweeping across the U.S. has canceled nearly 10,000 flights. More than 140 million people are under weather alerts from Texas to New England. Power outages, road closures, and emergency declarations are affecting dozens of states.
U.S. Winter Storm Crisis Quick Looks
- Nearly 10,000 flights canceled nationwide due to severe weather.
- Over 140 million Americans under winter storm alerts.
- Ice storms forecast to rival hurricane damage in some regions.
- Major power outages hit Texas, Virginia, and Oklahoma.
- Houston schools to remain closed Monday amid icy conditions.
- Trump approves federal disaster assistance for Virginia.
- FEMA preps meals, blankets, generators for affected areas.
- Emergency declarations made in over a dozen U.S. states.
- Mardi Gras events canceled; churches shift services online.
- Frigid wind chills and heavy snowfall blanket much of Northeast.
Deep Look: Winter Storm Grounds Thousands of Flights, Freezes U.S. in Ice and Snow
As a powerful winter storm bears down on the United States, nearly 10,000 flights have been canceled this weekend, with widespread disruptions affecting air travel, electricity grids, school schedules, and road safety from Texas to New England.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for more than 140 million people — over 40% of the U.S. population — as snow, sleet, and ice continue to hammer large portions of the South and Northeast. Officials warn that areas experiencing catastrophic ice, especially across East Texas and the Carolinas, could see destruction similar to that of a hurricane.
In northern Texas, where icy conditions began late Friday, schools in Houston announced closures for Monday, citing hazardous weather and dangerously low temperatures. The NWS in Fort Worth cautioned residents to expect lows in the single digits and wind chills as low as -12°F (-24°C).
By Saturday morning, over 95,000 homes and businesses were without power, with Texas accounting for more than 36,000 outages and Virginia reporting 10,000. Sleet and snow continued to fall across Oklahoma, while temperatures in rural parts of upstate New York dropped to a bone-chilling -29°F (-34°C).
Travel Disruptions Across the U.S.
Flight cancellations climbed rapidly through the weekend. By midday Saturday, over 3,600 flights had been grounded, with an additional 6,200 cancellations anticipated for Sunday, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
Angela Exstrom, a traveler attempting to return to Omaha, Nebraska, from Mexico, discovered her Saturday flight through Houston was canceled. “If you live in the Midwest and travel in the winter, stuff can happen,” she said as she rerouted her trip through Los Angeles.
Dangerous Cold, Risk of Frostbite
With wind chills plunging to -40°F (-40°C) in parts of the Midwest, including North Dakota and Minnesota, health experts warned frostbite could occur in as little as 10 minutes.
In Bismarck, North Dakota, maintenance worker Colin Cross was bundled in multiple layers as he braved the extreme cold.
“I’ve been here awhile and my brain stopped working,” he quipped.
In Baltimore, storm chatter dominated local conversations.
“Every single person that walks in talks about the storm,” said Ayaz Ahmed, owner of Saint Paul Mini Market. He praised the improved communication from authorities but added, “How to deal with that is another thing.”
Federal, State Governments Mobilize
The federal government activated nearly 30 search and rescue teams and staged supplies — including 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets, and 300 generators — along the storm’s projected path. President Donald Trump, speaking via social media, confirmed FEMA was on high alert and authorized emergency disaster relief for Virginia.
States across the South and Northeast declared weather emergencies. Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed road pre-treatment efforts and urged residents to “stay home if possible.”
Memories of Texas’s deadly 2021 freeze — when the power grid failed — lingered. Abbott vowed that wouldn’t happen again. Utility crews from across the country were brought in to reinforce local teams and prevent major outages.
Closures: Schools, Churches, Events
Philadelphia, Houston, and school districts across the South canceled classes for Monday. The University of Mississippi and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also suspended in-person instruction. In Athens, Georgia, sophomore Eden England stayed in her dorm despite being urged to go home. “I’d rather be with my friends, kind of struggling together if anything happens,” she said.
Churches across affected areas moved Sunday services online. In Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry canceled its audience for Saturday night’s performance. Mardi Gras parades in Louisiana were postponed or canceled entirely, with many cities opting for safety over tradition.
Widespread Impact, Lingering Cold
The storm is expected to move northeastward into Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston, dumping up to 12 inches (30 cm) of snow. With winds and ice lingering, cleanup and power restoration could take several days. Officials emphasized the ongoing risk from falling ice-covered branches and power lines long after the storm ends.
In at least 11 Southern states, including Texas, Alabama, and the Carolinas, a majority of homes rely on electric heating — making power outages particularly dangerous during extreme cold.
As the nation hunkers down, utility companies, federal agencies, and local governments remain on high alert to minimize damage and protect vulnerable communities from what could be one of the most disruptive winter weather events in recent memory.
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