The US East Coast braces for a record-breaking snowstorm, with over 5,000 flights canceled and millions affected. The storm has brought unprecedented snowfall to parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with nearly 33 inches (83cm) recorded in Rhode Island and over 19 inches in New York's Central Park. The National Weather Service warns of 'near impossible' travel conditions, with power outages affecting over 600,000 homes and businesses, particularly in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Winter storm warnings are in place from North Carolina to Maine, and further north in eastern Canada. The snow is expected to persist, with some areas near the northeast coastline predicted to receive up to 2 feet (61cm) of snow by Tuesday morning. Rhode Island, America's smallest state, has seen the worst snowstorm in its history, with Providence breaking the record for the single greatest snowfall, surpassing the 1978 record. A travel ban was imposed in Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut, with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also implementing a ban on non-essential travel and reducing speed limits. The storm has caused widespread disruption, with nearly 300,000 people without power in Massachusetts, and over 8 million in New York facing travel bans. The number of canceled flights within, into, or out of the US has reached over 5,675, with major airports like LaGuardia, JFK, Boston's Logan, Newark Liberty, and Philadelphia International experiencing high cancellation rates. The situation highlights the challenges of extreme weather events and the need for effective emergency response strategies.
