Millions at risk of blackouts as brutal deep freeze threatens to cripple the US: Live updates

Energy experts have warned that the impending winter storm may cause widespread blackouts and power grid outages across the country.

‘When you get one day of cold weather, it’s not as significant. But we’re talking about three or four days here of very low temperatures,’ Douglas Giuffre, who leads US power and renewables research for S&P Global Energy, told The New York Times.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the Trump administration has ordered grid operators across the country to have backup generators at data centers and ‘other major facilities’ available to help prevent blackouts.

‘We’re going to do everything we can to keep the lights on and to keep power prices down [during the storm], Wright said.

This weekend’s storm comes five years after a winter storm in Texas left millions without power for days in freezing temperatures.

As a potentially historic winter storm prepares to slam the US, meteorologists have warned that conditions could become so brutal that trees could start exploding.

Meteorologist Max Velocity said this week temperatures in the Midwest and Northern Plains are predicted to fall to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit on Friday and Saturday, freezing the insides of local trees.

The phenomenon known as ‘frost cracking’ can literally cause trees to burst from the inside out as sap and water freeze and expand, building pressure against the bark.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined the growing number of leaders declaring a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm on Friday.

‘The current forecast for much of the state calls for frigid temperatures accompanied by snow and wind gusts,’ Kelly said in a press release.

‘I urge everyone to be prepared. Stay inside as much as possible and avoid travel if you can. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked and if you must travel, be sure your car emergency kit is ready.’

Thousands of flights across the United States have been canceled this weekend in anticipation of the winter storm.

As of 9.45am ET on Friday, over 1,200 flights within, into or out of the country have been canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware.

Airlines have already canceled 1,462 flights within, into or out of the US on Saturday.

In North Carolina, Guilford Metro 911 officials have issued a warning to residents to use emergency services appropriately, WFMY reported.

‘The emergency is in your eyes,’ said Breanna Edwards, an assistant supervisor at Guilford Metro 911.

‘However, if there’s any danger present, if you are hurt in any way, those are definitely 911 scenarios – trees down, lines down, fire hazards, anything of that nature.’

Officials said that not every weather-related issue requires a 911 call, and reminded drivers that vehicles on the side of the road marked with yellow or caution tape have already been flagged to emergency crews.

‘Even abandoned cars – people have wrecked and left because they can’t get out,’ one dispatcher told the local news station.

‘The options are endless, but it’s on top of our regularly scheduled calls as well.’

Officials asked for patience as crews respond during the storm.

‘We’re gonna be out and about in it, but we may be a little taxed and a little bit slower to respond,’ said Scott Muthersbaugh with Guilford County EMS.

‘We’re gonna be to you as quickly and as safely as we can.’

Travelers across the US have been put on high alert as major airlines issued warnings and announced possible flight cancellations ahead of Winter Storm Fern.

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, four of the nation’s largest carriers, all warned passengers to expect major disruptions as the storm moves from the central US into the Northeast.

The Chicago Public Schools system canceled classes and after-school activities on Friday due to freezing temperatures.

‘We have been carefully monitoring the forecast over the past 24 hours and have determined that, given the frigid temperatures predicted for tomorrow and a National Weather Service Warning that wind chills could reach -35 degrees, it will be unsafe for staff and students to travel to school,’ the school system said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire Empire State on Friday.

‘We are heading into a very, very dangerous weather event,’ Hochul said.

‘By tomorrow night, we’ll be experiencing some of the most dangerous cold we’ve seen in years.’

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the winter storm.

‘This is a serious storm that will likely cause dangerous conditions on our roads and potential power outages, which is why we are doing everything we can to keep Kentuckians safe,’ Beshear said.

‘We ask that everyone does what they can to prepare now. Run any necessary errands before the storm, avoid traveling while conditions are dangerous, and have weather alerts turned on to stay informed.’

Panic buying has left store shelves completely empty in Washington DC as people prepare to spend the weekend buckled down inside their homes, NBC News’ Gary Grumbach revealed.

Store shelves were left barren at a Trader Joe’s in the nation’s capital as locals brace for the wicked weather.

President Donald Trump blasted climate change experts as he warned Americans about the ‘record cold wave’ rolling in.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: ‘Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain — WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???’