More than half of the country faces inclement weather as a massive winter storm makes its way across the continental U.S. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the dayslong storm to expand into mid-Atlantic states Saturday night and into the Northeast late Sunday. Over 230 million Americans across 34 states may be affected by the weather, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In addition to heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, utility companies are bracing for power outages across the country. NOAA reported that “catastrophic” ice accumulation may lead to long-duration outages, extensive tree damage and impassable travel conditions — some of which may last for a week. The National Weather Service expects to see those effects in places where freezing rain amounts exceed one-half inch, which is possible in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Ahead of the storm, President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations and emergency funding in several states. FEMA has situated emergency search and rescue teams and has pre-placed emergency supplies, including more than seven million meals, 300 generators and 600,000 blankets
The storm has also affected travel, with more than 18,000 flights on Saturday canceled as a result of the weather.
This story may be updated.
Kathleen Creedon is a platforms editor for MS NOW. She has previously worked as a web producer for Vanity Fair and Texas Public Radio.