At least 14 states have declared a state of emergency as they brace for snow, record cold, and potentially crippling ice from a winter storm that will stretch from New Mexico to Maine.
Around 172 million people are in the storm’s path this weekend, with the ice being the biggest threat. Up to an inch of ice is possible in some spots in the Southeast, which is enough to down trees and power lines, potentially knocking out power for days. Some cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., could see up to a foot or more of snow, while Minneapolis and Chicago face extreme cold. A polar vortex is expected to bring in frigid Arctic air to around 35 states following the major storm.
States that have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also preparing to respond to the storm, setting up staging areas in multiple locations, ABC News reported. In Louisiana, FEMA is preparing 250,000 meals, 400,000 liters of water, and 30 generators at Camp Minden near Shreveport.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered 168 National Guard troops to active duty on Friday to support state police “until weather conditions improve.”
“Winter weather is headed our way as early as this evening. Stock up on essentials now, stay inside, and follow local and state guidance,” Sanders said on Friday morning.
In the South, where ice remains the biggest risk, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency urged residents to finalize their plans “and get home or to a safe place” by Friday night. In Texas, officials have warned residents to prepare for a “long-duration freeze” that will likely affect the state Saturday night through Monday night. Public buses and light rail trains will be completely shut down on Saturday afternoon in Austin, where the city’s mayor urged residents to stay indoors.
“Travel will become difficult, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roadways,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Runyon.
The storm will move across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on Friday night before ice and snow are expected to reach the Carolinas and Virginia by Saturday and into Sunday. The National Weather Service warned that heavy snow can also “bring multi-day Power Outages, block emergency routes, and cause Communication Loss from downed lines.” Cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the first half of next week, potentially prolonging power outages and travel difficulties in many states that are ill-equipped to clear roads.
