U.S. Faces Historic Winter Storm: Nearly 10,000 Flights Cancelled and 140 Million Under Warning as Trump Approves Emergency Declarations
Almost 10,000 weekend flights were canceled and about 140 million people were under winter storm warnings Saturday as a sprawling system spread hazardous snow and ice across much of the United States. President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for South Carolina and Virginia on Saturday. In his post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I have approved Emergency Declarations for the Historic Winter Storms headed to the Great State of South Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia. With the help of FEMA and our State partners, we will keep everyone safe, and make sure both States have the support they need. We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!”
Trump later expanded his emergency declarations to include Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia, adding: “I have just approved Emergency Declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. We are working closely with FEMA, Governors, and State Emergency Management teams to ensure the safety of everybody. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!”
The storm system stretched from the Southwest into the Northeast and New England, bringing heavy snow, ice, and worsening travel conditions through the weekend. The system dumped snow across parts of Kansas and Oklahoma while delivering freezing rain and sleet to North and East Texas and Arkansas.
According to FlightAware data reported by The Associated Press, more than 3,600 flights were canceled on Saturday with an additional 6,200 set for Sunday. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency via Executive Order 2026-02 on January 21 and requested federal disaster assistance from Trump for the storm period from January 24 to February 6. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency on January 22 ahead of winter weather expected to begin Saturday and last through Monday morning, with President Trump approving federal disaster assistance for Virginia on Saturday.
The federal government activated nearly 30 search-and-rescue teams and prepositioned supplies in anticipation of the storm. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C., had already declared states of emergency, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
Currently, snow is falling in Kansas and Oklahoma, while North and East Texas and Arkansas are experiencing freezing rain and sleet.
