Heavy Snow and Flooding Wreak Havoc Across US

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From 16-inch snow drifts trapping motorists in New York to California flooding triggered by severe rain and king tides, extreme weather batters coast to coast—stranding travelers and forcing mass flight delays

By TRH World Desk

New Delhi, January 3, 2026 — The United States rang in the New Year under a barrage of extreme weather, as heavy snow in the Northeast and Midwest and severe rain in California triggered widespread disruption, rescues, and travel chaos.

In the central New York town of Oswego, motorists were left stranded along highways, buried under up to 16 inches of snow. The conditions proved overwhelming even for emergency crews, with one snowplow operator seen in visible distress after being trapped on the roadside.

Rescues extended beyond humans. In a chilling incident, a yellow Labrador retriever had to be saved after falling through ice—underscoring the dangers posed by rapidly freezing conditions.

Further west, sub-zero temperatures in Michigan encased a historic lighthouse in thick ice, as Arctic air tightened its grip ahead of a major NFL weekend. In Buffalo, the Bills issued an urgent call to fans, asking them to help shovel snow inside Highmark Stadium, possibly for one of the team’s final games there before relocating to a new stadium next season.

Meanwhile, the opposite extreme unfolded on the West Coast. California’s Marin County was hit by severe rain combined with king tides, triggering widespread flooding. Low-lying neighbourhoods were inundated, and multiple roads turned into rivers, cutting off access and disrupting daily life.

The weather crisis collided with the post-holiday travel rush. According to the FAA, today had more scheduled flights than any other day this week—yet over 5,000 flights were delayed or cancelled nationwide, leaving families stranded as they attempted to return home.

Weather experts are urging travelers to build in extra time, remain patient, and carry essentials, warning that conditions may continue to shift through the weekend, with rain forecast for parts of the South.

As America begins the year, nature has delivered a stark reminder: winter is far from done.