Severe Winter Storm Sweeps US: Thousands of Flights Canceled

Nearly 4,000 flights were canceled in the US on Saturday due to a severe winter storm. The eastern states are threatened with heavy snowfall, while power outages have already occurred further west, as far as Texas.

Meteorologists predict snow, sleet, rain, and freezing rain across 2/3 of the eastern states. US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.

The National Weather Service (NHS) warned of an extensive winter storm with potentially devastating effects. According to FlightAware, 3,900 flights were canceled on Saturday and 8,800 scheduled for Sunday.

More than 130,000 households and businesses are without power, mainly in Texas and Louisiana, according to PowerOutage.com. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem urged citizens to take precautions.