By Friday afternoon, 23 January 2026, governors in at least 16 states—from Texas and Louisiana to New York and Maine—had issued emergency declarations ahead of a mammoth winter storm expected to affect 230 million people. Washington DC joined the list as meteorologists warned that snow totals could exceed a foot in portions of the Ohio Valley and Northeast, while the Deep South faces ice-laden power-line damage reminiscent of 2021’s Texas freeze. (theguardian.com)
The declarations unlock state funds, activate National Guard units and, critically for mobility planners, give transportation agencies authority to impose truck restrictions, close highways and waive hours-of-service rules for utility-repair crews. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas–Fort Worth and Charlotte airports—all essential domestic hubs with extensive international feeds—have already begun thinning schedules. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its National Response Coordination Center and pre-positioned generators, blankets and meals in anticipation of prolonged outages.
For international employees or project teams whose visa appointments and document renewals are jeopardized by weather-related airport shutdowns, VisaHQ can help bridge the gap. Its digital platform—found at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—lets travelers reschedule consular visits, secure emergency passport services and track application status in real time, ensuring compliance stays on course even when the storm derails physical travel plans.
![16 States and Washington DC Declare Emergencies as “Monster” Storm Bears Down on Half the U.S.]()
Corporate relocation managers with household-goods shipments in transit through the affected region should expect interstate closures and warehouse backlogs. Employers with remote or hybrid talent across the South and Midwest should also prepare for internet outages that could disrupt time-sensitive onboarding or I-9 document inspection deadlines.
The storm’s timing could complicate Monday-morning travel for thousands of consultants, auditors and project teams. Companies may wish to invoke remote-work contingencies or defer non-essential trips. Those responsible for cross-border moves through Detroit-Windsor, Buffalo-Niagara and other northern land ports should monitor CBP wait-time dashboards; historically, these crossings slow when heavy snow affects approach roads and staffing levels.
Finally, the widespread nature of the event underscores the value of integrated traveler- and assignee-tracking platforms. Coordinated messaging on shelter-in-place orders, utility outages and evolving airline waivers can help protect employee safety and minimize business disruption.
The declarations unlock state funds, activate National Guard units and, critically for mobility planners, give transportation agencies authority to impose truck restrictions, close highways and waive hours-of-service rules for utility-repair crews. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas–Fort Worth and Charlotte airports—all essential domestic hubs with extensive international feeds—have already begun thinning schedules. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its National Response Coordination Center and pre-positioned generators, blankets and meals in anticipation of prolonged outages.
For international employees or project teams whose visa appointments and document renewals are jeopardized by weather-related airport shutdowns, VisaHQ can help bridge the gap. Its digital platform—found at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—lets travelers reschedule consular visits, secure emergency passport services and track application status in real time, ensuring compliance stays on course even when the storm derails physical travel plans.
Corporate relocation managers with household-goods shipments in transit through the affected region should expect interstate closures and warehouse backlogs. Employers with remote or hybrid talent across the South and Midwest should also prepare for internet outages that could disrupt time-sensitive onboarding or I-9 document inspection deadlines.
The storm’s timing could complicate Monday-morning travel for thousands of consultants, auditors and project teams. Companies may wish to invoke remote-work contingencies or defer non-essential trips. Those responsible for cross-border moves through Detroit-Windsor, Buffalo-Niagara and other northern land ports should monitor CBP wait-time dashboards; historically, these crossings slow when heavy snow affects approach roads and staffing levels.
Finally, the widespread nature of the event underscores the value of integrated traveler- and assignee-tracking platforms. Coordinated messaging on shelter-in-place orders, utility outages and evolving airline waivers can help protect employee safety and minimize business disruption.
