Power failures spread as winter storm grips US East Coast

The storm system, driven by a clash between Arctic air and moisture-laden Atlantic winds, brought snowfall totals exceeding 30 centimetres in parts of upstate New York, interior Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, while coastal zones faced sleet and ice accretion that weighed down trees and power lines. State emergency agencies said the combination of wind gusts and ice posed the greatest risk to electricity networks, with outages spreading rapidly from suburban corridors into major urban centres.

By Sunday evening, utilities reported more than two million customers without power across the eastern seaboard, with the highest concentrations in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine. Grid operators implemented rolling shutdowns in some areas to prevent broader system failures as demand surged for heating during sub-zero temperatures. Officials urged residents to conserve electricity and avoid using generators indoors after emergency rooms reported carbon monoxide exposure linked to unsafe heating practices.

Transport networks were severely affected. Airports serving New York City, Boston and Washington cancelled or delayed thousands of flights as runways required repeated clearing and aircraft de-icing. The Federal Aviation Administration said weather-related ground stops and air traffic flow restrictions were imposed at several hubs to manage safety risks, producing a knock-on effect across the national network. Airlines warned passengers to expect continued disruption as crews and aircraft were displaced.

Road conditions deteriorated quickly as snowploughs struggled to keep pace with sustained snowfall and freezing rain. Sections of interstate highways in the Appalachians were closed to commercial traffic, while local authorities in multiple states imposed driving bans to allow emergency vehicles access. Rail services along the Northeast Corridor operated on reduced schedules, with ice accumulation affecting overhead power systems in exposed stretches.

Energy analysts said the storm highlighted persistent vulnerabilities in ageing power infrastructure across the region. Much of the East Coast grid relies on overhead lines susceptible to ice loading and falling debris, particularly in wooded suburbs developed decades ago. While utilities have invested in selective undergrounding and vegetation management, progress remains uneven, leaving certain communities exposed during prolonged winter events.

Meteorologists described the system as notable for its geographic reach and the variety of hazards it produced rather than for a single extreme metric. Snowfall totals were significant but not unprecedented; the broader impact stemmed from the overlap of heavy snow inland and ice nearer the coast, coupled with sustained winds. Forecast models indicated the storm would move offshore by Monday, but warned of lingering lake-effect snow and plunging temperatures that could complicate recovery efforts.

Governors along the coast activated National Guard units to assist with welfare checks, debris clearance and logistics support. Warming centres were opened in cities where extended outages threatened vulnerable populations, including older residents and those reliant on electrically powered medical equipment. Local officials urged neighbours to check on one another as shelters approached capacity in some counties.