Winter Storm Threatens Power Outages Across Eastern U.S.
4 days ago
Utility companies and state officials across the eastern United States are preparing for a major winter storm this weekend that meteorologists say could bring down power lines and trigger widespread outages. The system — expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, ice and dangerously cold temperatures from the South into the Northeast — has officials warning that infrastructure could be stressed and electricity supplies disrupted.
Freezing rain and ice are particularly hazardous because they can accumulate on trees and power lines, causing branches and lines to snap and knock out service. Millions of households are at risk of losing power, a serious concern especially in southern states where many homes rely on electricity for heating.
Officials and utility companies are mobilizing crews and staging equipment ahead of the storm, but even quick response times may be hampered by icy roads and continued tree damage long after the storm itself passes. Experts point to lessons from Winter Storm Uri in Texas in 2021 — when a lack of weatherization contributed to prolonged outages and hundreds of deaths — as a reminder of the dangers extreme cold and grid strain can pose.
In addition to the immediate threat of losing power, analysts warn that families could face higher energy bills in the weeks after the storm as households use more heating during and after the extreme cold. Utilities in the Southeast, including Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority, have urged customers to prepare for possible multi‑day outages and have bolstered staffing and readiness efforts.
As the storm advances, residents are advised to monitor local forecasts, prepare emergency supplies, and plan for the possibility of extended outages.
Freezing rain and ice are particularly hazardous because they can accumulate on trees and power lines, causing branches and lines to snap and knock out service. Millions of households are at risk of losing power, a serious concern especially in southern states where many homes rely on electricity for heating.
Officials and utility companies are mobilizing crews and staging equipment ahead of the storm, but even quick response times may be hampered by icy roads and continued tree damage long after the storm itself passes. Experts point to lessons from Winter Storm Uri in Texas in 2021 — when a lack of weatherization contributed to prolonged outages and hundreds of deaths — as a reminder of the dangers extreme cold and grid strain can pose.
In addition to the immediate threat of losing power, analysts warn that families could face higher energy bills in the weeks after the storm as households use more heating during and after the extreme cold. Utilities in the Southeast, including Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority, have urged customers to prepare for possible multi‑day outages and have bolstered staffing and readiness efforts.
As the storm advances, residents are advised to monitor local forecasts, prepare emergency supplies, and plan for the possibility of extended outages.
