Trump Approves Emergency Declarations for States Amid US Winter Storm
The United States is currently facing severe winter storms that have led President Donald Trump to approve emergency declarations for multiple states. These declarations have been implemented to aid in the management of snow and extreme cold that has impacted various regions.
Emergency Declarations Approved
On Saturday, Donald Trump announced the approval of emergency declarations for ten states, including:
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Maryland
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Indiana
- West Virginia
Earlier that same day, South Carolina and Virginia were also added to this list as the storm continued to wreak havoc.
Coordination with FEMA
The federal government is actively collaborating with FEMA, state governors, and emergency management teams. Their primary focus is to ensure public safety during this critical time. The emergency declarations facilitate quicker mobilization of resources and allow states to access federal assistance efficiently.
State of Emergency Across the Country
In total, at least 20 states have declared a state of emergency due to the winter storms. The states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Impact of the Storm
The winter storm has affected approximately 140 million people, representing over 40% of the US population. The National Weather Service reports extensive snowfall and severe ice accumulation from New Mexico to New England.
As freezing rain and icy conditions struck regions like Louisiana, around 50,000 residents lost power. Additionally, the storm prompted more than 12,000 flight cancellations across the nation. Major disruptions were noted at airports in Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Future Forecasts and Warnings
The storm is anticipated to move northeast, bringing significant snowfall of 1 to 2 feet from Washington D.C. to Boston. Meteorologists warn that, following the storm, frigid temperatures will slow the melting process, thereby hampering recovery efforts.
Advisories from Meteorologists
Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, highlighted the prolonged impact of the cold weather, suggesting that the road to recovery will be slow. Residents are urged to stay indoors to avoid hazardous conditions as power crews work diligently to restore outages.
