At Least 30 Dead as US Winter Storm Brings Cold Terror Across Country
A powerful winter storm swept across the United States over the weekend, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. At least 30 people have lost their lives as a result of the severe cold and snow, with many more reported missing.
The storm, which brought heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to parts of the country, has been linked to several fatalities. In Texas, a 16-year-old died in a sledding accident, while a person was found dead from apparent hypothermia in the Austin area. Louisiana authorities have reported three winter storm-related deaths, while Mississippi, Arkansas, and North Carolina have each lost two citizens.
The situation is particularly dire in New York City, where eight people were found dead outdoors over the weekend. A woman in Kansas also died from hypothermia, with her body covered in snow. Massachusetts officials reported a woman's death after being struck by a snow plow, while Tennessee authorities said three more deaths were linked to the storm.
As of Monday morning, over 200 million people across Texas to New England were under cold alerts, with forecasters warning that bitter cold could persist through the week in many regions. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted "frigid air" would spread across the eastern two-thirds of the country, bringing widespread sub-zero lows and record cold temperatures.
The agency also warned of "dangerous wind chills" and "much below-normal temperatures may continue into early February." This has led to widespread power outages, with over 670,000 households affected, primarily in the south where freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap.
Travel was severely disrupted, with over 10,500 US flights cancelled on Sunday. On Monday, nearly 5,000 more flights were grounded. Major institutions in New York City and Washington DC are closed until further notice, while some public schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire were also shut down.
The storm is not yet over, however. The NWS's weather prediction center warned that the "potential is increasing for another significant winter storm to impact the eastern United States this coming weekend." But with only a week left in January, it remains unclear what other challenges the country will face as the cold grip of winter continues to tighten its hold.
A powerful winter storm swept across the United States over the weekend, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. At least 30 people have lost their lives as a result of the severe cold and snow, with many more reported missing.
The storm, which brought heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to parts of the country, has been linked to several fatalities. In Texas, a 16-year-old died in a sledding accident, while a person was found dead from apparent hypothermia in the Austin area. Louisiana authorities have reported three winter storm-related deaths, while Mississippi, Arkansas, and North Carolina have each lost two citizens.
The situation is particularly dire in New York City, where eight people were found dead outdoors over the weekend. A woman in Kansas also died from hypothermia, with her body covered in snow. Massachusetts officials reported a woman's death after being struck by a snow plow, while Tennessee authorities said three more deaths were linked to the storm.
As of Monday morning, over 200 million people across Texas to New England were under cold alerts, with forecasters warning that bitter cold could persist through the week in many regions. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted "frigid air" would spread across the eastern two-thirds of the country, bringing widespread sub-zero lows and record cold temperatures.
The agency also warned of "dangerous wind chills" and "much below-normal temperatures may continue into early February." This has led to widespread power outages, with over 670,000 households affected, primarily in the south where freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap.
Travel was severely disrupted, with over 10,500 US flights cancelled on Sunday. On Monday, nearly 5,000 more flights were grounded. Major institutions in New York City and Washington DC are closed until further notice, while some public schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire were also shut down.
The storm is not yet over, however. The NWS's weather prediction center warned that the "potential is increasing for another significant winter storm to impact the eastern United States this coming weekend." But with only a week left in January, it remains unclear what other challenges the country will face as the cold grip of winter continues to tighten its hold.
I mean, I get it, winter storms can be super harsh, but this feels like a whole thing went wrong. All those power outages and flights grounded... it's like the country is just grinding to a halt. And with another storm on the horizon, things are gonna get even worse. Not exactly what we need right now, you know? 
. I'm all for a good snow day and whatnot, but 8 people in NYC found dead outdoors? What was going through the city's officials' heads at that point? It's like they just gave up on keeping people safe during this storm 
.
. And 670,000 households affected? That's insane! What kind of infrastructure can't handle something as simple as a snowstorm?
. The US needs to get its act together when it comes to weather preparedness and emergency response. It's not like it's rocket science, folks! 
like is that even possible? anyway, i was checking the weather maps and apparently texas got hit harder than expected 
i need to get my thermals ready for next winter lol. also, 670k households affected by power outages 
️ and now it's like 5,000 more grounded today... poor travel vibes all around 
. We're only halfway through January and already winter is showing no signs of letting up 
.
gotta hope the next week brings some relief soon
oh man, 30+ people lost their lives in that US winter storm 
Winter is literally killing us. I was at my parents' house over the weekend and they were struggling to keep their pipes from freezing, so we ended up taking turns using the bathroom while someone kept the faucet on 
. But seriously, 30 people dead? That's just crazy. And to think it's not even over yet... I'm starting to worry about my friends who live in Texas, they're probably dealing with way worse than what my parents are going through. The fact that schools and institutions in NY City are closed is a huge bummer too 
. Anyway, hope everyone stays warm and safe out there 
It's like winter is just dragging its feet on us. Anyway, I'm just glad that some places are taking precautions and closing down till it's safe again. We need to prioritize our safety during these extreme weather events 
This whole thing is crazy! Like, who needs that much cold? 
And the snow, oh man... it's everywhere! 
. But seriously, this storm is causing so much damage... I hope everyone stays safe out there 
. And those who are still struggling to get back on their feet... my heart goes out to them