Historic winter storm grips the U.S. with dozens of emergency declarations and travel chaos

A sprawling winter storm with heavy snow, sleet and crippling ice swept from the South to New England, impacting roughly 245 million people across 40 states. More than 700,000 customers lost power, and flight disruptions topped 15,000 cancellations as travel came to a halt and schools closed or moved to remote learning in several cities. At least 24 states plus Washington, D.C., issued emergency declarations. The event triggered closures of museums, bans on certain commercial vehicles in some states, and planned weather-related responses including National Guard activations and prolonged recovery efforts as bitter cold and dangerous conditions persist. Fatalities have been reported in Louisiana and other areas as conditions worsen.