Winter Storm Fern Causes Widespread Disruptions Across Eastern U.S.

Winter Storm Fern has caused significant disruptions across the eastern United States, leading to over 10,000 flight cancellations and nearly 900,000 power outages. The storm has brought heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, creating hazardous travel conditions and infrastructure challenges.

Major airports have been severely affected, with all flights canceled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and most flights at Philadelphia International Airport. Thousands of flights from New York City's LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports have also been canceled.

At least 20 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, have declared states of emergency. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also declared a state of emergency in the district.

President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states, with more expected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-positioned commodities, staff, and search and rescue teams in numerous states, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Power outages have surged to nearly 900,000, a significant increase from approximately 85,000 on Saturday. Tennessee reports the largest number of outages, with more than 300,000 homes and businesses affected. Mississippi and Texas have over 130,000 outages each, while Louisiana is nearing 125,000 outages.

The National Weather Service warns that ice and snowfall are expected to continue through Monday in much of the country, followed by very low temperatures, causing "dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts" to linger for several days.