President Trump assured Americans that the government is prepared for the ‘catastrophic’ Winter Storm Fern as more than 9,000 flights have been canceled across the US.
Over 235 million people under winter storm warnings have begun to hunker down as the devastating storm is projected to bring snow, ice and frigid temperatures to parts of 40 states stretching from Texas over to the Carolinas and up the East Coast.
Trump urged residents in Fern’s path on Friday night to “stay safe and stay warm” and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ready to respond to the potentially historic storm.
“I have been briefed on the Record Cold Wave and Historic Winter Storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend. The Trump Administration is coordinating with State and Local Officials. FEMA is fully prepared to respond. Stay Safe and Stay Warm! President DJT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social alongside an alert from the National Weather Service.
The federal government put nearly 30 search and rescue teams on standby. Officials had more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators placed throughout the area the storm was expected to cross, according to FEMA.
Freezing rain and snow have been dumped in parts of Texas, and almost 17,000 customers are without power in the state as of early Saturday, according to Poweroutage.us.
New York City and surrounding areas are expected to face a brutally cold wind chill of 10 below zero, with heavy snow accumulation between 10 and 14 inches, as outside counties could see higher snowfall, according to the National Weather Service.
The Big Apple is forecasted to start seeing snow between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday — with a possibility of up to 16 inches falling in New York.
The imminent monstrous storm has already impacted major airlines, forcing them to cancel thousands of flights flying into and out of the storm’s path.
Over 9,000 flights around the country have been canceled over the weekend, with Sunday seeing over 5,000 already scrapped.
Nearly 1,500 flights heading into or out of New York area airports have been canceled with the brunt of them scheduled for Sunday, according to data from FlightAware.com.
Air India announced it was canceling all flights to and from the New York area scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
Port Authority officials announced it was working with LaGuardia, JFK and Newark to keep terminals open and to ensure the airports are “operating safely and efficiently” for stranded flyers.
The impending inclement weather has forced the MTA to cancel most scheduled service changes between Sunday and Monday.
The transportation giant is expecting service impacts to its regular weekend trains, buses and subways schedules.
At least 18 states have already issued state of emergency declarations, including Arkansas, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, and West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas and Delawware along with Washington, DC.
The storm’s impact, which will spread over 2,000 miles from the southern border of Texas across the Midwest and up to New England is expected to bring a harsh wintry mix that will have massive impacts on travel.
Motorists have been warned about low visibility and dangerous conditions on the road, with officials advising people to remain indoors.
“Hazardous to impossible driving conditions are expected. Avoid traffic if at all possible,” the NWS said.
With Post wires
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