Severe Winter Storm Causes Power Outages and Disruptions Across the US

A powerful winter storm, classified as a bomb cyclone, has swept through the southeastern United States, bringing with it heavy snowfall, hurricane-force winds, severe coastal flooding, and dangerously low temperatures. The rapid intensification of a low-pressure system off the coast resulted in widespread disruptions and hazardous conditions across multiple states.

In North Carolina, snow accumulation reached historic levels, with some locations reporting the highest amounts recorded since official tracking began. Coastal areas experienced snowfall exceeding 25 centimeters, while Charlotte reported its fourth-largest single-day snowfall in nearly 150 years. The storm also affected neighboring states, including South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, with significant snow and ice impacting transportation and daily activities.

The aftermath of the storm brought an influx of arctic air, causing temperatures to plummet well below normal for this time of year. In Florida, meteorologists observed record-breaking cold for February, with some parts of the state dipping below freezing--a phenomenon not seen since the late 1980s. The extreme wind chill intensified the perceived cold, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite and prompting officials to issue warnings and advisories to residents.

This latest storm followed closely on the heels of a previous severe weather event that brought extreme cold and heavy snowfall just days earlier. That earlier event resulted in at least 85 fatalities across several states, as reported by local media. The compounded impact of these back-to-back storms has left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity and heating. As of Sunday morning, more than 150,000 homes and businesses remained without power, particularly in Mississippi and Tennessee.

The severe weather has also caused significant disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. Air travel was heavily affected, with more than 1,100 flight cancellations on Sunday, following approximately 2,500 cancellations the day prior. Additionally, icy road conditions contributed to numerous traffic accidents and delivery delays throughout the region.

Emergency services and local authorities continue to respond to the situation, working to restore power and ensure public safety. Residents are advised to limit travel, take necessary precautions against the cold, and stay informed through official channels as cleanup and recovery efforts progress.