By Blessing Nweke
A powerful winter storm slammed the United States east coast on Monday, dumping record-breaking snowfall, triggering widespread travel bans, power outages and thousands of flight cancellations that disrupted millions of residents.
Parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts recorded nearly 37 inches (94cm) of snow, while more than 19 inches fell in New York City’s Central Park, according to the National Weather Service. Authorities warned of “near impossible” travel conditions in New York as the storm intensified.
More than 600,000 homes and businesses lost power across the east coast, with New Jersey and Massachusetts among the hardest hit. Winter storm warnings stretched from North Carolina to Maine, and extended into parts of eastern Canada. Forecasters said snowfall would continue through Monday, with coastal areas expecting up to two feet of snow by Tuesday.
Rhode Island appeared to receive the heaviest snowfall, making it the worst snowstorm in the state’s history. In the capital, Providence recorded 36 inches, surpassing the previous record set in February 1978.
Officials imposed travel bans across Rhode Island and neighbouring Connecticut, while Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced restrictions on non-essential driving and reduced highway speed limits, warning that whiteout conditions made travel extremely dangerous.
Air travel faced severe disruption. Flight tracking company FlightAware reported more than 5,700 cancellations nationwide. Major hubs including LaGuardia Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport and Logan International Airport cancelled most departures.
Authorities warned the region would continue feeling the storm’s impact into Tuesday, with thousands more flight cancellations expected as recovery efforts begin.
Original article
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