Severe Winter Storms Bring Travel Chaos and Flood Risks Across the U.S.

NEWARK, N.J. — The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for Hudson, Essex, and Union counties, predicting dangerous conditions for Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. The advisory warns of potential inundation reaching nearly one foot above ground level in vulnerable waterfront areas.

According to the weather service, residents in flood-prone locations should prepare for minor flooding affecting roads, parking lots, parks, and homes with basements. “If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,” the advisory warns. It further emphasizes the importance of protecting flood-prone property.

A flash flood warning indicates a flash flood either imminent or already occurring, necessitating an immediate move to higher ground in vulnerable areas. In contrast, a flood warning indicates that flooding is either about to happen or has already started, while a flood advisory suggests that conditions may cause significant inconvenience but do not warrant a full warning.

The current winter weather across the eastern United States is exacerbating the situation, with severe weather alerts affecting nearly 100 million people from the Rockies to the Northeast. Heavy snowfall has been recorded, disrupting travel and daily activities.

On Wednesday morning, conditions deteriorated, prompting more than 3,000 flight delays and over 400 cancellations, especially affecting East Coast flight operations. NBC’s Al Roker noted that air travel delays were likely to continue, particularly in Atlanta.

Snowfall amounts vary significantly across the country. Chicago is expected to see 4 to 7 inches of snow through Thursday night, while Kansas City could receive 3 to 6 inches, prompting local officials to urge motorists to use extreme caution.

“If you must travel, please give yourself extra time to get where you’re going,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard in Wisconsin, where snow plows were deployed to clear streets.

In Southern California, an atmospheric river is forecasted to bring significant rainfall, raising fears of localized flooding in areas recently impacted by wildfires. About 29 million people in the state are under flood watches, and Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated statewide preparedness measures.

Nationally, flooding risks are compounded by a mix of winter weather events throughout the weekend, including a third storm anticipated for Saturday and Sunday. The weather service is alerting residents to be cautious and stay informed about rapidly changing conditions as storms continue to develop across the country.