Winter storm: 18 states declare state of emergency as ‘life-threatening’ storm sweeps US

The Independent’s live coverage of the winter storm has paused for the evening. Stay with The Independent for more breaking news.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger warned residents that parts of the state could experience “significant and extended power outages” that she described as “catastrophic.”

“Because of wind we’re anticipating, because of the ice and because of the freezing temperatures, we expect Virginia will experience power outages even after the snow has ended,” Spanberger said during a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

She urged Virginians to use the remaining hours before the storm arrives to make sure they’re prepared.

“We know the impact of this storm will be tremendous,” Spanberger said. “Significant snowfall, significant ice and we are anticipating, because of the dangerous low temperatures, ongoing impacts of this storm will continue after the point in time when the snow or the ice have stopped falling.”

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned city residents to expect up to 8 or 9 inches of snow by Monday.

“By early Monday morning, the heaviest of the weather will have passed, although some precipitation could continue through the day,” Mamdani said. “We expect at least 8 to 9 inches of snow, and likely more.”

He also said along with the snow accumulation, residents should expect “intense” cold.

“This will not just be snow. This storm will also bring with it intense cold, a prolonged period of frigid temperatures that will last through the next week,” Mamdani said.

The Smithsonian announced on Saturday that it is closing all of its museums in the Washington, D.C. area in anticipation of Saturday evening’s winter storm.

The museums will remain closed through Monday, January 26.

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday evening that he had approved a number of emergency declarations for states in the path of a major winter storm.

“I have just approved Emergency Declarations for Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We are working closely with FEMA, Governors, and State Emergency Management teams to ensure the safety of everybody. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!”

Earlier in the day Trump approved similar emergency declarations for Virginia and South Carolina.

The Capital Metro in Austin, Texas is ending its service for the day at 4pm local time on Saturday in response to the storm.

All services will remain closed on Sunday, and may be reopened on Monday pending conditions.

Austin was recently upgraded to an ice storm warning lasting until noon local time on Sunday. Up to half an inch of ice accumulation is possible.

An extreme cold warning is also in effect until noon local time on Monday. Wind chills as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit are predicted.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp told state employees living and working in northern Georgia counties and who are not part of the storm response effort to work from home through Monday.

He said that state office in areas affected by the storm would be open again on Tuesday, pending conditions.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger warned residents they had only a few hours left to get prepared for a winter storm that is expected to hit the region on Saturday evening.

“Please use these final hours to be prepared, to make sure that you have blankets and warmth and food to make it through this storm,” Spanberger said during a news conference on Saturday. “And every Virginian should stay off the road as of this evening, all day Sunday, and at least into the morning on Monday.”

More flights have been cancelled as Saturday’s winter storm sets in over the central U.S.

According to the Associated Press, nearly 12,000 flights have been cancelled for Saturday and Sunday as of Saturday afternoon.

The bulk of the cancellations — 8,000 — are for flights scheduled for Sunday, when the storm will be situated over the East Coast and the northeast.

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he has approved the emergency declarations for Virginia and South Carolina ahead of Saturday’s winter storm.

“I have approved Emergency Declarations for the Historic Winter Storms headed to the Great State of South Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “With the help of FEMA and our State partners, we will keep everyone safe, and make sure both States have the support they need.”