Washington, January 24, 2026 – The Europe Today: Eighteen US states have declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm sweeps across large parts of the country, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and prompting widespread closures, authorities said.
The states declaring emergencies include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, along with the capital, Washington.
The storm is affecting more than 180 million people from New Mexico to Maine, with forecasters warning of heavy snowfall of up to 12 inches in parts of the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast. Widespread ice accumulation is also expected, posing serious risks to road travel and power supplies.
Air travel has been significantly disrupted, with more than 2,300 flights cancelled on Saturday and thousands more expected to be grounded on Sunday. Major disruptions are anticipated at key hubs, including Dallas and Atlanta airports.
Several airlines, including Delta, announced flight suspensions across five states, with affected passengers being automatically rebooked.
Relief organisations have mobilised emergency resources in anticipation of worsening conditions. In Louisiana, authorities said 250,000 meals and 400,000 litres of water have been prepared, while rescue teams remain on standby.
Meanwhile, schools and federal offices in Washington announced closures on Monday, as authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel due to hazardous ice and freezing conditions.
