Nor’easter Fury Paralyzes East Coast: 10,000+ Flights Grounded as Blizzard Conditions Trigger Widespread Emergencies

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – More than 10,000 flights were canceled nationwide between Feb. 22 and Feb. 24 as a powerful nor’easter slammed the East Coast with heavy snow, damaging winds, and coastal flooding, paralyzing travel and prompting emergency declarations across multiple states.

According to FlightAware, 3,442 flights were canceled on Feb. 22, followed by 5,535 on Feb. 23 and another 1,619 scheduled cancellations for Feb. 24. Major hubs were hit especially hard. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, 88 percent of departing flights and 87 percent of arrivals were scrapped on Feb. 23. Boston Logan International Airport saw 92 percent of departures and 87 percent of incoming flights canceled the same day.

The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warned that snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour and wind gusts between 40 and 70 miles per hour would continue battering the Northeast, with storm totals of one to two feet possible in some coastal areas by the morning of Feb. 24. Officials said travel could become “nearly impossible” from the Delmarva Peninsula into southeastern New England, with blizzard conditions and crippling impacts expected.

Heavy, wet snow combined with strong winds also raised the risk of power outages across southeastern New England, while minor to moderate coastal flooding was forecast around high tide from the Chesapeake Bay northward.

Authorities declared states of emergency across the region. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani ordered all nonessential vehicles off the streets from 9 p.m. Feb. 22 through at least midday Feb. 23, closed public schools, and suspended after-school activities. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill issued a statewide emergency declaration, citing treacherous driving conditions. In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency beginning Feb. 22, closing public schools and municipal buildings while urging residents to stay off roads and allow crews to clear streets.

Officials across the Northeast encouraged residents to remain home unless travel was essential, warning that conditions could remain hazardous even after snowfall tapers.

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