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Sunday, Dec 28, 2025
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Severe Winter Storm Devin Triggers State of Emergency and Disrupts US Holiday Travel
Major snowstorm sweeps the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, forcing emergency declarations and grounding thousands of flights during peak travel period
A powerful winter storm named Devin swept across the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, prompting states of emergency and widespread disruption to road and air travel during one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.
New York and New Jersey declared emergency states as heavy snow and hazardous conditions were forecast to persist from Christmas into the weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of four to eight inches of snow and treacherous travel conditions across the region.
Airlines across the country were forced to cancel and delay flights as the storm intensified, with more than one thousand eight hundred flights canceled and over twenty-two thousand delayed nationwide by late Friday afternoon, according to flight tracking data.
Major carriers including JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Republic Airways reported significant schedule disruptions, and airports in the New York metropolitan area — including John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International — bore the brunt of the cancellations and delays.
Officials urged travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys and allow snow crews to clear roads as conditions deteriorated.
New Jersey also imposed commercial vehicle restrictions on key highways to minimise accident risks and ensure emergency and maintenance vehicles could operate effectively.
Emergency declarations gave states additional flexibility to mobilise resources and coordinate responses with local authorities.
The winter weather system brought not only heavy snow but also ice and strong winds across a broad swath of the Northeast, contributing to hazardous driving conditions, travel advisories and disruptions to power infrastructure in some areas.
Forecasters said the storm was weakening by Saturday morning, though wintry showers, slick roads and periodic cancellations persisted as travellers sought to return home or carry on with holiday plans.
The timing of the storm during peak travel season amplified its impact, with airlines waiving change fees and advising flexibility as conditions evolve.
New York and New Jersey declared emergency states as heavy snow and hazardous conditions were forecast to persist from Christmas into the weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of four to eight inches of snow and treacherous travel conditions across the region.
Airlines across the country were forced to cancel and delay flights as the storm intensified, with more than one thousand eight hundred flights canceled and over twenty-two thousand delayed nationwide by late Friday afternoon, according to flight tracking data.
Major carriers including JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Republic Airways reported significant schedule disruptions, and airports in the New York metropolitan area — including John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International — bore the brunt of the cancellations and delays.
Officials urged travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys and allow snow crews to clear roads as conditions deteriorated.
New Jersey also imposed commercial vehicle restrictions on key highways to minimise accident risks and ensure emergency and maintenance vehicles could operate effectively.
Emergency declarations gave states additional flexibility to mobilise resources and coordinate responses with local authorities.
The winter weather system brought not only heavy snow but also ice and strong winds across a broad swath of the Northeast, contributing to hazardous driving conditions, travel advisories and disruptions to power infrastructure in some areas.
Forecasters said the storm was weakening by Saturday morning, though wintry showers, slick roads and periodic cancellations persisted as travellers sought to return home or carry on with holiday plans.
The timing of the storm during peak travel season amplified its impact, with airlines waiving change fees and advising flexibility as conditions evolve.
