Once-In-A-Lifetime Winter Storm Threatens Power, Travel, And Insurance Losses Across Half The U.S.

What’s Next

• Forecast refinement: Ice and snowfall totals will become clearer within 24–48 hours, though officials warn preparation windows are narrowing.
• Emergency declarations: State-level emergency orders and utility mutual-aid deployments are likely as outages begin.
• Insurance claims surge: Insurers can expect early claims tied to power loss, roof damage, fallen trees, and frozen pipes, followed by secondary business interruption disputes.
• Travel restrictions: Airlines and state transportation agencies may issue rolling advisories or closures through the weekend.

Primary Sources

• Statements by Ryan Maue, former Chief Scientist — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Forecast briefings — National Weather Service