Deadly winter weather claims 40 lives across the US

This news has been read 644 times!

NEW YORK, Jan 18: In a tragic turn of events, at least 40 people have lost their lives across nine states since January 12 due to severe winter conditions. Fatalities have been reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Tennessee, witnessing the highest toll, mourns the loss of 14 lives, including a box truck driver in Knoxville and five individuals in a snow-covered minivan on I-81 in Pennsylvania.

As the nation grapples with this somber reality, another round of snow and cold is looming. The Midwest to the East anticipates accumulating snow on Friday, reigniting concerns for cities like Washington, DC, and New York City. Winter weather alerts are in effect across the South, including Nashville, Lexington, and Charleston, West Virginia.

The Northwest is battling freezing rain and wind, causing power outages for over 85,000 homes and treacherous travel conditions in Oregon. A stretch of I-84 remains closed due to hazardous ice conditions, while Buffalo, New York, faces lake-effect snow warnings with significant accumulations, leading to dangerous travel and bitter wind chills.

The respite from the cold will be short-lived, with bone-chilling air set to return across the north-central US late Thursday. Cities like Chicago, Nashville, and New York City will struggle to reach freezing temperatures on Friday, and wind chills will pose risks for frostbite and hypothermia.

A collision of atmospheric energy is expected to bring another round of snow to the Midwest and East on Friday. Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cities, recovering from record-long snow droughts, could witness light-to-moderate snowfall, with potential travel disruptions.

The Northwest faces a deadly “1-2 punch” from back-to-back storms, delivering freezing rain, ice, and heavy snow. Portland, Oregon, mourns at least seven deaths since Friday, with ice storm warnings persisting. Portland Public Schools plan to close for the third day due to the ongoing severe weather threat.

Winter storm warnings extend over the Cascades and northern Rockies, anticipating up to 3 feet of snow over the Cascades and 2 feet in higher elevation areas in Washington, Idaho, and Montana by late Thursday morning. The region remains on high alert as it contends with the relentless winter onslaught.

This news has been read 644 times!