Record Winter Storm Forces 13,000 Flight Cancellations, 140,000 Power Outages Nationwide
Updated (2 articles)
Massive flight disruptions top pandemic-era levels The storm canceled roughly 13,000 flights across the United States, eclipsing any single‑day total since COVID‑19 disruptions [1][2]. Major hubs such as Dallas‑Fort Worth, Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers International, and other airports saw hundreds of departures and arrivals scrubbed, with DFW alone losing over 700 scheduled flights [1][2]. Aviation analytics firm Cirium confirmed the unprecedented volume, marking the event as the most severe operational impact on airlines in recent memory [1][2].
Power outages affect over a hundred thousand customers Poweroutage.us reported about 140,000 customers without electricity, with roughly 58,000 outages in Louisiana and 50,000 in Texas [1][2]. In Shelby County, Texas, one‑third of the 16,000 customers lost power, while more than half of electric customers in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, were darkened [1][2]. Utilities warned that ice accumulation could prolong restoration times, with some areas potentially facing week‑long outages [1].
President Trump signs emergency declarations for twelve states In response to the storm’s breadth, Donald Trump approved emergency declarations covering at least a dozen states, unlocking FEMA assets and pre‑positioning search‑and‑rescue teams [1][2]. The declarations enable federal assistance, including disaster relief funding and logistical support for state and local responders [1][2]. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged residents to remain indoors while federal resources mobilized [2].
State governments deploy National Guard and impose travel restrictions Georgia dispatched 120 National Guard members and 1,800 highway workers on 12‑hour shifts to treat roads with brine, while urging residents to avoid travel after sundown [1][2]. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill instituted a 35 mph speed limit and limited commercial vehicle movement, labeling the storm unprecedented in recent years [1][2]. Both states emphasized staying indoors and coordinated with local agencies to clear critical routes [1][2].
Midwest endures historic wind chills near –40 °F The storm pushed wind chills across the Midwest to near –40 °F, with Rhinelander, Wisconsin recording a –36 °F temperature, the coldest in almost three decades [1][2]. Minneapolis experienced protest activity despite temperatures of –6 °F, highlighting the severe cold’s impact on daily life [2]. Meteorologists warned that the combination of heavy precipitation and record cold could delay snow melt and extend hazardous conditions [1].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Newsweek: Massive Winter Storm Triggers Record Flight Cancellations and Widespread Power Outages: details 13,000 flight cancellations, 140,000 power outages, Trump’s emergency declarations, meteorologist warnings, and state‑level resource mobilizations .
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[2]
King5: Major Winter Storm Triggers Nationwide Flight Cancellations and Power Outages: emphasizes 13,000 cancellations, threat to 180 million people, emergency declarations, 120,000 outages, state travel limits, and extreme Midwest cold .
Timeline
Jan 24, 2026 – The National Weather Service warns that heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain threaten ≈180 million people from the southern Rockies to the Atlantic seaboard, creating one of the broadest winter‑storm threats in recent memory. [2]
Jan 24, 2026 – President Donald Trump signs emergency declarations for a dozen states, unlocking FEMA assets and pre‑positioning search‑and‑rescue teams as the storm approaches. [2]
Jan 24, 2026 – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urges residents in the affected states to stay home if possible, emphasizing public‑safety concerns amid the impending winter weather. [2]
Jan 24, 2026 – FlightAware records about 13,000 flight cancellations across the United States on Saturday‑Sunday, the highest single‑day total since the COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted air travel in 2020. [2]
Jan 24, 2026 – Poweroutage.us logs roughly 120,000 customers without electricity, including about 50,000 each in Texas and Louisiana, as ice and wind down power lines. [2]
Jan 24, 2026 – New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill imposes a 35 mph speed limit and bans commercial‑vehicle travel, describing the storm as “unprecedented in recent years.” [1]
Jan 24, 2026 – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp deploys 120 National Guard members and 1,800 highway workers on 12‑hour shifts to treat roads with brine, while urging residents to avoid travel after sundown. [1]
Jan 24, 2026 – Midwest wind chills plunge to near –40 °F; Rhinelander, Wisconsin records –36 °F, the coldest temperature in almost three decades, prompting frostbite warnings. [2]
Jan 25, 2026 – Updated data confirm 13,000 flights canceled, the most severe disruption since the pandemic, with all Saturday departures at Will Rogers International Airport scrubbed and Dallas‑Fort Worth losing over 700 flights. [1]
Jan 25, 2026 – Power outages rise to roughly 140,000 customers, including 58,000 in Louisiana and 50,000 in Texas; in Shelby County, Texas, one‑third of 16,000 customers lose power. [1]
Jan 25, 2026 – WCNC chief meteorologist Brad Panovich warns that up to one inch of ice could snap tree limbs and bring down power lines, potentially causing week‑long outages. [1]
Jan 25, 2026 – AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines tells Newsweek that some areas may remain without power for up to a week, underscoring the storm’s lingering impact. [1]
Jan 25, 2026 – NOAA meteorologist Josh Weiss notes the unusual combination of widespread precipitation and record‑cold temperatures, highlighting the storm’s rarity. [1]
Jan 25, 2026 – Georgia and New Jersey continue to mobilize resources: Georgia’s National Guard and highway crews keep brine operations running, while New Jersey maintains the 35 mph speed limit and commercial‑traffic restrictions, reinforcing state‑level emergency responses. [1]
External resources (2 links)
- http://poweroutage.us/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.orangetentproject.org/ (cited 1 times)