Historic Bomb Cyclone Delivers Extreme Weather to Northeast
Power Outages Persist Amid Bitter Cold
Across the Northeast, thousands faced power outages Tuesday as freezing temperatures continued to grip the region. The aftermath of a two-day blizzard, which dumped over two feet of snow in multiple states, left millions struggling with disrupted travel and cleanup efforts. With temperatures projected to stay below freezing, snowfall may not fully melt, compounding the challenges for residents.
Storm Intensifies Rapidly, Easing Travel Bans
The storm reached its peak as a bomb cyclone Monday, intensifying swiftly and generating hurricane-force winds. This surge in strength disrupted transportation networks, causing widespread flight cancellations and road closures. Local authorities declared states of emergency and implemented travel restrictions, urging people to stay indoors as conditions worsened.
Massachusetts Bears Brunt of the Crisis
According to PowerOutage.us, over 283,000 households in the Northeast were without electricity Tuesday afternoon, with more than 230,000 in Massachusetts. The majority of these affected residents are served by Eversource, particularly in southeastern areas like Cape Cod. Doug Foley, Eversource’s Massachusetts electric operations president, noted that full restoration would require multiple days, with the final customers expected to be isolated for up to two additional days.
“It is a multiday restoration,” Foley said at a news conference. “The last couple customers, unfortunately, will be a couple days out.”
Travel Disruptions Continue Despite Improved Conditions
Even as some restrictions eased, travelers faced ongoing hurdles. Public transit delays, icy roads, and flight cancellations persisted, with over 2,100 US flights canceled by 3 p.m. ET Tuesday. The four major northeastern airports—Newark, Boston, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy—were still recovering from the storm’s impact. Alyssa Myers, stranded at Philadelphia International Airport, shared her frustration: “If you don’t have to go, cancel the trip, get the refund, wait for warmer weather.”
Broader Impacts on Daily Life
The storm’s effects extended beyond transportation. Schools shut down, major train routes altered, and public transit halted in some areas. Even DoorDash, a popular delivery service, paused operations in the nation’s largest city. As the storm weakened by Monday evening, forecasts hinted at further challenges, leaving communities to brace for prolonged recovery efforts.
CNN’s August Phillips, Aaron Cooper, Holly Yan, Alaa Elassar, Zoe Sottile, Hanna Park, and meteorologists Mary Gilbert, Briana Waxman, and Chris Dolce contributed to this report.
