A historic and deadly snowstorm sweeping across the United States has forced the closure of New York's LaGuardia Airport, one of the nation's busiest aviation hubs. The airport, which typically handles over 400 flights daily, was shuttered after being buried under heavy snowfall, contributing to one of the largest travel disruptions in US history.
Widespread Disruption and Tragic Consequences
The severe winter weather has led to the cancellation of approximately 10,000 flights, with a further 2,000 anticipated to be grounded tomorrow, leaving countless passengers stranded at airports nationwide. This scale of disruption is being described as among the most significant in American aviation records.
Tragically, the storm has turned deadly, with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirming five fatalities in the city over the weekend. While the exact causes remain under investigation, Mayor Mamdani emphasised the extreme dangers posed by such cold conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations including homeless residents.
National State of Emergency Declared
The impact of the storm is vast, with 23 states declaring a state of emergency. An estimated 185 million people are under winter weather alerts, with some regions experiencing up to 12 inches of snow. The storm's effects extend beyond transportation, causing power outages from downed ice-laden lines and widespread panic buying that has stripped supermarket shelves bare.
Additional fatalities have been reported in Louisiana, where two men in Caddo Parish succumbed to hypothermia. The hazardous conditions are not limited to snow and ice; parts of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are under tornado watch, compounding the severe weather threat.
Detailed Snowfall and Regional Impacts
The eastern United States has borne the brunt of the storm, with significant snowfall recorded across multiple states:
- Indiana – 13 inches
- Missouri – 12 inches
- Illinois and Ohio – 11 inches each
- Arkansas and Kansas – 8 inches each
- Oklahoma – 7 inches
- New Jersey – 6 inches
- Tennessee – 5 inches
In New York, wind speeds around JFK Airport reached 32mph, severely reducing visibility and creating dangerous driving conditions. The closure of LaGuardia, a critical node in the US air travel network, underscores the storm's profound impact on infrastructure and daily life.
As authorities work to manage the crisis and restore services, residents are urged to exercise extreme caution, heed weather warnings, and check for ongoing travel updates before attempting any journeys.
