Bad weather paralyses the United States: Over 5,000 flights are canceled, more than 600 thousand powerless properties

Record snowfalls and strong winds forced authorities to impose travel bans in some countries, while millions of residents faced extreme conditions.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts registered up to 94cm of snow, while over 19 inches of snow fell in New York City in Central Park. Warnings of harsh weather spread from North Carolina to Maine, as well as parts of eastern Canada.

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States, seems to have been hit harder. The capital Providence registered 91cm of snow, breaking the previous record of 72.6cm set in February 1978. Local media described this as the worst snowstorm in state history.

We didn't expect such intensity”, said the meteorologist Candyce Hrencecin from NWS in Boston, adding that the situation had surprised experts as well.

Authorities imposed bans on non-religious travel to Rhode Island and Connecticut. Massachusets Governor Maura Healey warned that conditions of the <x0mungs of white light” made travel extremely dangerous.

 

 

In New York City, the ban on travel led to the closure of roads, highways, and bridges, placing the city of over eight million people in an almost complete impasse for several hours.

In Massachusetts, about 300,000 people were left without electricity, including 85% of customers in the Barnesable District, which includes Cape Cod.

The Boston Globe reported that for the first time in its 153-year history, it would not appear in the press, as over 60cm of snow prevented the staff from reaching the printery.

Meanwhile, the New York police are investigating images showing officers shooting snowballs in Washington Square Park.

The storm, known as <x0nor\easter”, has already moved towards eastern Canada, but strong winds are expected to continue as the region tries to return to normal.