Blizzard leaves Northeast in blackouts
Severe winter storm cuts power to over 600,000 customers as heavy snow and extreme weather strain electricity networks.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA: A powerful winter storm has swept across the US Northeast, leaving more than 600,000 utility customers without electricity and placing significant pressure on regional power networks. More than 40 million people remain under winter weather alerts, with blizzard warnings stretching over 965 km (600 mi) along the Eastern coast.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds have damaged overhead lines and made access to substations difficult, slowing restoration efforts in several states. Parts of New York City recorded up to 48 cm (19 in) of snow, with officials warning that the storm could rank among the city’s ten most severe in the past 150 years.
In neighbouring states, around 60 cm (two feet) of snow fell in parts of New Jersey and Long Island. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Connecticut declared states of emergency, introducing travel restrictions and commercial vehicle bans to limit risk and allow crews to respond more safely to outages.
The widespread disruption has affected essential services and daily operations. Several school districts, including those in New York City and Boston, closed schools for the day, although officials said in-person classes are expected to resume once conditions improve.
Transport disruption has compounded the impact on power restoration. Thousands of flights were cancelled nationwide, with airports in the New York area among the worst affected, limiting the movement of personnel and equipment.
Utility operators continue to monitor the situation as severe weather persists, focusing on restoring supply where conditions allow. The storm highlights the vulnerability of electricity infrastructure to extreme weather and the ongoing challenge of maintaining reliable power during major winter events.
Source: NBC News
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