‘Bomb Cyclone’ Unleashes Chaos on Millions of Americans From Michigan to New York: Power Outages, Arctic Cold, And More Homeowner Concerns 

Before ushering in the new year, millions of homeowners across the country will endure a sizable winter storm that has already knocked out power across Michigan and is poised to create travel issues for countless others.

"Across the Midwest and Great Lakes through Monday, a powerful storm will take shape," says AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. "The storm will bring risks for heavy snow, ice, severe thunderstorms, powerful wind gusts, and heavy rain.”

The storm started to take shape on Sunday, Dec. 28. Winds reportedly reached over 60 mph across portions of the Plains and Upper Midwest, according to FOX Weather, and the intensity of the gusts has already caused 300,000 customers nationwide to lose power, most notably in Michigan with just over 78,000 customers. 

The storm is the same system that doused California with heavy, flooding rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and is expected to evolve into a bomb cyclone Monday through Tuesday in many areas. 

According to AccuWeather’s most recent forecast, the storm is capable of producing “blizzard conditions with near-hurricane-force winds around the Great Lakes” into Monday night. The Midwest and Northeast will endure frigid air much like there was in early December. Even southernmost states will need to brace for shocking chills. 

Winter Storm Ezra moves in: blizzard conditions, ice, and snow target homes

The storm has strengthened as it continues to move eastward, according to the Weather Channel, who has officially dubbed the system Winter Storm Ezra. Their meteorologists see the system traveling quickly through the Great Lakes and New England on Monday.

However, the initial problem for most will be high wind gusts. The prediction will be as high as 50-60 mph, which could create whiteout conditions even in places where the snow has stopped falling. 

The Upper Midwest should see their blizzard conditions taper off by midday, while the lake effect snowfall will continue across western portions of the Great Lakes.

In the Northeast, ice will be a factor, making for dangerous travel conditions. It will likely result in airport delays during some of the busiest holiday travel days

As for snow, the hardest hit, with several feet predicted, will be on the south side of Lake Superior in communities like Marquette, MI.

Elsewhere, 3-12 inches of snow is expected across the Great Lakes, the Appalachians and Upstate New York.

But the bitter cold is also something the Northeast needs to look out for. AccuWeather predicts that after temperatures surge to nearly 60 degrees on Monday in Philadelphia, they will plunge into the 20s Monday night and struggle to rise above freezing on Tuesday.

Keeping your home safe during a blizzard or bomb cyclone

The harsh truth is these types of storms can come with little warming, in most cases only a few days, and most homeowners just are not prepared for it. 

Winter storms and freezes caused $3.6 billion in damages in 2024 and more than $27 billion in 2021, according to NOAA.

A national survey by SafeHome.org found that only 19% of homes have backup power sources, and only 5% of Americans have a fully stocked emergency supply kit.

For those who live in areas of the country that experience this type of extreme winter weather, securing your home and supplies before a storm comes is vital. 

For example, one of the worst scenarios facing homeowners in the winter is a freezing pipe bursting. A burst pipe can cause catastrophic damage to your home and be incredibly costly. 

Homeowners should take the time before a storm to trace where their pipes run, especially those along exterior walls or in drafty areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Check for proper insulation, and make sure outdoor spigots have been shut off and fully drained.

Additionally, when heavy snow accumulates on your roof, ice dams can form, creating a severe, yet silent issue for your home.

Ice dams occur when heat escaping your home melts rooftop snow. This water refreezes, typically at the colder eaves, forming an icy barrier. Over time, this buildup traps subsequent melted water behind the dam.

“With nowhere to drain, the trapped water can work its way underneath the roofing material and leak into your home’s crawl spaces, attic, and walls, resulting in pricey water damage,” explains Mike Weis, vice president of sales at Carlisle Architectural Metals in Atlanta.

Prolonged ice buildup can contribute to long-term issues that will shorten the lifespan of your roof. If you’re concerned, make sure to enlist a professional to clean off your roof following a major storm.