Massive US blizzard paralyzes East Coast, cancels 5,000 flights, cuts power to 600,000

2026-02-24 - 11:02

A powerful blizzard battered the northeastern United States Monday, bringing record-breaking snowfall that paralyzed transportation, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands, and forced cancellation of thousands of flights. The National Weather Service reported snow accumulations reached historic levels, with Rhode Island setting a state record of 96 centimeters, while New York's Central Park recorded nearly 50 centimeters. Transportation Chaos and Flight Cancellations Aviation operations ground to a halt across the region, with flight tracking data showing more than 5,000 cancellations nationwide. Airports in New York and Boston experienced particularly severe disruptions, with hundreds of departures and arrivals scrubbed as crews struggled to keep runways clear. Major highways became impassable, prompting officials in multiple states to impose travel restrictions limiting road use to emergency vehicles only. Widespread Power Outages and Emergency Response The combination of heavy snow and high winds toppled trees and power lines, leaving over 600,000 homes and businesses without electricity across the East Coast. Utility crews worked through deteriorating conditions to restore service, but expanding outages and blocked roads hampered response efforts. States of emergency remained in effect across affected areas as forecasters warned of continued hazardous conditions and the risk of additional snow accumulation through Tuesday.