Powerful Blizzard Paralyzes US Northeast, Thousands of Flights Cancelled

A powerful blizzard dumped more than two-and-a-half feet of snow across parts of the US Northeast on Monday, bringing daily life to a near standstill for millions of people. Roads were closed, rail services suspended and about 7,400 flights cancelled as heavy snow and strong winds battered the region.

Thousands of homes and businesses lost power. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors to allow emergency crews to clear roads. Schools were closed across the region, and Broadway theatres in New York City went dark.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city remained under a state of emergency. While a travel ban was lifted at noon, a hazardous travel advisory was to remain in effect until midnight.

By early afternoon, more than 19 inches of snow had fallen in Central Park, while Boston recorded over 14 inches, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Oravec. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph created snowdrifts several feet high.

Other cities were also hit hard. Philadelphia received 14 inches of snow, while Providence saw more than 32 inches — a city record.

PowerOutage.us reported that over 608,000 customers nationwide were without electricity by Monday afternoon, including one in every 10 power users in Massachusetts.

Residents described scenes of disruption and isolation. On Long Island, heavy snow blocked doors and windows in some homes. Many families prepared to stay indoors as cleanup efforts began.

At least seven US states declared emergencies. Airlines cancelled more than 7,400 flights and delayed over 2,300 others, with major disruptions at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Logan International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed 100 National Guard members to assist affected areas, including New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. The storm also forced the closure of the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan.

Despite a funding lapse, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said disaster-response operations would continue. Last week, Reuters reported that the Trump administration had ordered FEMA to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers during the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Public transport was widely disrupted. Commuter rail and bus services in New Jersey were halted, while Rhode Island Public Transit Authority suspended all services until conditions improve.

Forecasters warned that cleanup could take several days as emergency crews work to restore power and reopen transport links.