AccuWeather Says Blizzard Caused Up to $38B in Estimated Damage, Economic Loss

The winter storm that brought several feet of snow and blizzard conditions to parts of the Northeast this week resulted in $34 billion to $38 billion in total damage and economic loss, according to a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather.

More than two feet of heavy snow fell across parts of New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island experienced hurricane-force wind gusts of 74 mph or stronger, AccuWeather reported.

Related: AI Got Beat by Traditional Models in Forecasting NYC’s Blizzard

At least 18 cities across the Northeast reached official blizzard conditions, with sustained winds or wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and a visibility less than or equal to one-quarter of a mile for three consecutive hours, according to the weather company.

Also, more than 600,000 homes and businesses lost electricity during the nor’easter.

Over 2,000 flights were canceled, 600 delayed as of 06:00 a.m. ET, Tuesday, according to data from FlightAware.

“This winter has been remarkably costly and disruptive for people across the eastern half of the country,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. “This blockbuster blizzard is the third major storm so far this winter to cause billions of dollars in damage and losses.”

The firm noted that some areas have not yet reported complete information about damage, injuries and other impacts.

AccuWeather said its preliminary estimate of total insured and uninsured damage and economic loss accounts for damage to homes and businesses, disruptions to commerce and supply chain logistics, tourism losses, impacts to shipping operations at major hubs, financial losses from extended power outages, major travel delays, as well as damage to infrastructure.