A massive winter storm is currently freezing life in its tracks for millions of Americans. As of Sunday morning, dangerous ice and heavy snow have shut down airports and highways across the central and eastern United States. Weather experts are calling this a historic event that is affecting more than 200 million people.
The damage from this storm is expected to be enormous. Preliminary numbers from AccuWeather estimate the total economic loss could reach between $105 billion and $115 billion. If these numbers hold up, this would be the most expensive weather disaster since the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
This high cost comes from damage to homes, businesses, and a complete stop to supply chains in many areas.
READ: Tampa Bay Weather: From Beach Days To Freezing Nights In 48 Hours
Getting around is nearly impossible right now. More than 15,000 flights were canceled between Saturday and Monday. Roads are just as bad. Ice has covered highways from Texas all the way to Virginia. In the north, heavy snow is burying cities.
Places like New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. are expecting over half a foot of snow. Boston and parts of New England could see up to two feet pile up by Monday morning.
The situation is dangerous for people stuck at home. Over 700,000 homes and businesses have already lost power. This is especially risky because the air behind the storm is the coldest of the entire winter. Meteorologists warn that temperatures could drop so low that being without heat is life-threatening. In the Midwest, it might feel like 30 to 60 degrees below zero.
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AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said this storm will “shut it all down.” He warned that the trouble won’t end when the snow stops falling. The bitter cold coming next will make it hard for crews to fix power lines. This means people in the hardest-hit areas could be in the dark and freezing for up to a week.
Emergency responders are having a hard time reaching people because the roads are sheets of ice. Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham noted that travel is “downright treacherous,” and it will take days for operations to get back to normal. For now, millions of Americans are being told to stay inside and stay warm as this historic storm continues its march across the country.
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