Winter Storm Fern: 800,000 Without Power, 40 States Affected

A massive and potentially historic winter storm is paralyzing New York City and much of the United States, leaving more than 800,000 customers without power, canceling thousands of flights, emptying grocery store shelves and forcing major cities into emergency measures as Winter Storm Fern barrels across the country. No power outages were reported in NYC.

The sprawling storm is expected to impact more than 235 million people across nearly 40 states, with FOX Weather warning that as many as 245 million Americans from Arizona to Maine are in the storm’s path. More than 190 million people remain under Winter Weather Alerts as heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice conditions stretch coast to coast. States of emergency have been declared in at least 21 states as officials brace for prolonged disruptions through Monday.

As of Sunday morning, approximately 802,163 power outages were reported nationwide, according to PowerOutage.com. Tennessee has been hit hardest, with 266,071 customers without electricity. Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana have each reported more than 120,000 outages as ice accumulation snaps power lines and downs trees.

Forecasters warned that damage in ice-battered regions could rival the devastation typically seen during hurricanes.

In New York City, Winter Storm Fern began dumping snow in the early hours of Sunday, with snowfall rates expected to reach up to two inches per hour at times. Manhattan had seen about an inch of snow by 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, with totals quickly climbing as the storm intensified.

The NWS warned that the city could see between six and 10 inches of snow and sleet by the end of the storm. Queens County recorded about half an inch at the start of the snowfall, while Nassau County was rapidly covered in two inches. Newark and surrounding areas were also quickly blanketed with roughly an inch of snow.

The storm has brought air travel to a near standstill across the Northeast. LaGuardia Airport canceled hundreds of flights as snow piled up on runways early Sunday. By 7:30 a.m., 888 flights had been canceled at LaGuardia, while JFK and Newark reported 908 and 894 cancellations respectively.

Nationwide, more than 12,200 weekend flights have already been canceled, with nearly 10,000 additional cancellations reported as airlines struggle to keep up with deteriorating conditions. Images from airports showed stranded passengers sitting or lying on terminal floors while waiting for updates.

The Associated Press noted that despite the widespread disruption, U.S. airlines are required to issue refunds for canceled flights, easing at least one concern for stranded travelers.

As the storm approached, New Yorkers rushed to stock up on essentials, leaving grocery stores picked clean across the city. Trader Joe’s locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island were nearly emptied by Saturday evening, the New York Post reported, with photos showing barren produce sections and stripped bread, snack and protein aisles.

City services have shifted into full storm response mode. The Department of Sanitation deployed plows across all five boroughs, and residents can track when their street was last cleared using the city’s live PlowNYC map.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that New York City public schools will be closed Monday due to hazardous conditions, though most students will still be required to attend classes remotely. Nearly 500,000 public school students across close to 1,100 schools are expected to log in from home.

High school students and those in grades six through eight will still have the day off, as Monday was already scheduled as a professional learning day.

“As snowfall begins to blanket our city and conditions become hazardous, closing school buildings is a necessary step to keep New Yorkers safe,” Mamdani said.

The decision effectively eliminates a traditional snow day for many students, a move that has already drawn criticism from parents and educators.

Everyday services have also been disrupted. DoorDash announced it has implemented a temporary “Weather Impact Fee” for deliveries in areas affected by Winter Storm Fern, citing dangerous road conditions and increased risk for drivers.

“When in effect, the fee helps make it more worthwhile for Dashers to be on the road and helps keep delivery running when it’s safe to do so,” the company said, adding that customers are warned of the fee before placing orders. DoorDash cautioned that worsening conditions could lead to longer wait times, canceled orders or a complete suspension of service.

As residents hunker down, experts are also offering guidance on how to cope with the storm. One commonly cited tip is the so-called “12-inch rule,” which advises moving furniture at least a foot away from radiators to improve heat circulation and lower energy bills. Drivers are urged to remove medications and certain foods from vehicles to prevent damage from freezing temperatures, and to carry emergency kits in case of breakdowns.

With snow and ice continuing to fall and temperatures plunging, emergency officials nationwide are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, conserve power where possible and prepare for prolonged outages and delays as Winter Storm Fern continues to batter the country.