## Mass Power Outages Hit Northeast as Record Blizzard Continues
More than half a million homes and businesses across the Northeast remain without power as a historic blizzard continues to pummel the region with record-breaking snowfall.
The storm has brought transportation systems to a virtual standstill, with major highways impassable and public transit suspended in multiple cities. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights, stranding travelers and disrupting cargo deliveries.
## Transportation Networks Collapse
Interstate highways from Boston to New York City are reporting zero visibility conditions and multiple vehicle pile-ups. State transportation departments have issued travel bans, urging residents to stay off roads entirely.
Amtrak has suspended service along the Northeast Corridor. The New York City subway system is operating with severe delays, while Boston's MBTA has shut down multiple lines.
"This is unlike anything we've seen in years," said one transportation official. "The snow is falling faster than our crews can clear it."
## Daily Life Disrupted
Grocery stores are reporting empty shelves as supply trucks cannot reach their destinations. Emergency services are responding only to life-threatening calls, with response times significantly delayed.
Schools across the region closed preemptively, affecting millions of students. Many businesses have shuttered operations, sending workers home early or telling them not to come in at all.
## Homeless Population Faces Crisis
The blizzard poses extreme dangers for the Northeast's homeless population, with temperatures plummeting and shelters struggling to accommodate increased demand.
Emergency warming centers are opening across major cities, but outreach workers face the same transportation challenges preventing them from reaching vulnerable individuals on the streets.
"Every minute counts when temperatures drop this low," said a homeless services coordinator. "We're mobilizing every resource we have, but the storm is making it nearly impossible to reach people who need help most."
Advocacy groups are working with city officials to expand shelter capacity and extend operating hours at warming centers.
## Power Companies Race Against Time
Utility companies report that heavy snow and high winds are downing power lines faster than crews can repair them. Some areas may remain without electricity for days.
"We're prioritizing hospitals, nursing homes, and other critical facilities," said a spokesperson for a major utility company. "But with these conditions, restoration work is extremely dangerous."
Emergency generators are being deployed to critical facilities, though fuel delivery remains challenging.
## What Happens Next
The National Weather Service warns the storm will continue through the night before tapering off tomorrow morning. Total accumulations could reach 30 inches in some areas.
State emergency management agencies are coordinating response efforts, with National Guard units activated in several states to assist with rescue operations and snow removal.
Officials urge residents to stay indoors, check on elderly neighbors, and conserve power where possible. Those experiencing emergencies should call 911, though response times remain severely impacted.
The full scope of the storm's impact on the region's economy and infrastructure may not be clear for days.