WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations in multiple states as a powerful and fast-moving storm system threatens about 140 million people across large swathes of the United States, federal and state officials said, warning of life-threatening conditions including tornadoes, flash flooding and destructive winds.
The declarations allow affected states to access federal resources, coordinate disaster response more rapidly and deploy emergency personnel as forecasts show the storm stretching from the southern Plains through the Midwest and into parts of the East Coast. Meteorologists say the system is unusually broad and volatile, combining intense rainfall with severe thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes.
The National Weather Service warned that some areas could see rainfall totals high enough to trigger dangerous flash floods, while wind gusts may exceed hurricane force in exposed regions. Forecasters also cautioned that the storm’s speed could limit warning times, increasing the risk to communities in its path.
State governors across the affected region urged residents to prepare for power outages, evacuations and travel disruptions. Emergency management agencies activated shelters and pre-positioned rescue teams, while National Guard units were placed on standby to assist with rescues, debris removal and infrastructure protection.
Federal officials said the emergency declarations were issued pre-emptively to speed assistance rather than waiting for damage to occur. “This storm system has the potential to be extremely dangerous,” a senior emergency management official said, citing the scale of the population at risk and the severity of the forecasts.
Transportation authorities warned of possible road closures and flight disruptions, particularly in major transport hubs. Utilities across several states said they had mobilised additional crews to respond to downed power lines and prolonged outages, which could affect millions of households.
The storm arrives as parts of the central and southern United States are still recovering from earlier rounds of severe weather this season, raising concerns about saturated ground and weakened infrastructure. Experts say climate patterns are contributing to more frequent and intense storms, increasing the need for early emergency coordination.
Officials urged residents to follow local advisories, monitor weather alerts and avoid unnecessary travel. “This is not a routine storm,” emergency officials said, stressing that preparation and timely response could save lives as the system moves eastward over the coming days.
US President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations in multiple states as a life-threatening storm bears down on about 140 million Americans.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 25, 2026
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