A powerful winter storm sweeping through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast has caused widespread disruptions, including closed highways, suspended airports, and the first-ever blizzard warning for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
The storm, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, has triggered a deep freeze across much of the eastern U.S., impacting millions of people.
By Tuesday, nearly 2,000 flights within the U.S. and abroad were canceled, and around 10,000 flights faced delays, as reported by FlightAware.
In Houston, both major airports halted operations in anticipation of hazardous conditions, and local authorities urged residents to avoid travel. Temperatures in Houston were expected to plunge to 18°F (-8°C), posing risks of frozen pipes and significant disruptions to daily routines.
The storm stretched from Texas to North Carolina, with widespread winter storm warnings in effect throughout the South. In New Orleans, where temperatures in the 30s are rare, residents like Lakesha Reed, manager of Beaucoup Eats catering, saw their travel plans canceled due to the cold snap. “We can barely drive in the rain,” she said, recalling how last year’s Mardi Gras was celebrated in shorts.
Record snowfall is predicted, with areas along the I-10 corridor, including Houston, New Orleans, and Mobile, Alabama, expecting up to 6 inches (15 cm) of snow.
A historic blizzard warning was issued for Lake Charles, Louisiana, with heavy snow and strong winds reducing visibility in a region not accustomed to such conditions.
As temperatures plummeted, governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama declared states of emergency, and many schools were closed for the day. Local officials urged Louisiana residents to stay inside due to hazardous ice buildup on roads.
To prepare for possible power outages, warming shelters were set up for the homeless.
As the storm moved east, dangerously cold wind chills were expected, particularly in the Upper Midwest, where temperatures could feel as cold as -50°F (-46°C).
In Texas, the extreme cold raised concerns over frozen pipes, with many homeowners reaching out to plumbing services for help. “There’s a little bit of panic,” said Jonathan LeBron, plumbing manager at Nick’s Plumbing in Houston, referring to the increased number of calls about frozen pipes.
This unusual cold snap follows a disruption in the polar vortex, with the Arctic blast expected to impact the region through the week. Residents across the eastern U.S. are bracing for more severe weather, with temperatures expected to slowly return to normal by the weekend.
