Deadly Storms Bring Snow and Freeze to US East Coast, With Loss of 85 Lives
A severe winter storm is sweeping across the eastern United States, bringing with it freezing temperatures, snow, and blizzards that are leaving dozens dead and hundreds more struggling to stay warm.
The storms have already claimed the lives of at least 85 people in multiple states, according to an Associated Press tally, as icy roads and frigid conditions have led to a surge in car crashes, hypothermia, and other fatal incidents. The severity of the cold blast has prompted governors across several states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, to declare states of emergency.
The storms are being fueled by a massive cold front that has come down from the Arctic, with temperatures plummeting to sub-freezing levels in many areas. While rising global temperatures may be weakening the polar vortex winds that hold such cold air over the Arctic, causing it to spill out further south, experts warn of growing risks of hypothermia and frostbite.
The US east coast is bracing for more severe conditions on Saturday, with forecasters warning of blizzard conditions before the storm moves out to sea. The extreme weather has already forced the cancellation of several events, including a popular polar plunge event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
In Tennessee, where over 190,000 homes and businesses are still without power, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of restoration efforts. State officials have vowed to provide clear timelines for power restoration, but experts warn that carbon monoxide exposure remains a significant concern.
As the storm continues to bear down on the region, authorities are urging everyone to stay alert and take precautions, particularly those who lack sufficient warm clothing or heating sources. Experts say that even in warmer states like Florida, the extreme cold can pose serious health risks.
In total, at least 13 confirmed deaths have been reported in Tennessee, nine fatalities in Louisiana, and 10 people found dead outside in New York City. The full extent of the damage is still emerging, but one thing is clear: the US east coast is facing a brutal winter storm that will test its resilience for days to come.
A severe winter storm is sweeping across the eastern United States, bringing with it freezing temperatures, snow, and blizzards that are leaving dozens dead and hundreds more struggling to stay warm.
The storms have already claimed the lives of at least 85 people in multiple states, according to an Associated Press tally, as icy roads and frigid conditions have led to a surge in car crashes, hypothermia, and other fatal incidents. The severity of the cold blast has prompted governors across several states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, to declare states of emergency.
The storms are being fueled by a massive cold front that has come down from the Arctic, with temperatures plummeting to sub-freezing levels in many areas. While rising global temperatures may be weakening the polar vortex winds that hold such cold air over the Arctic, causing it to spill out further south, experts warn of growing risks of hypothermia and frostbite.
The US east coast is bracing for more severe conditions on Saturday, with forecasters warning of blizzard conditions before the storm moves out to sea. The extreme weather has already forced the cancellation of several events, including a popular polar plunge event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
In Tennessee, where over 190,000 homes and businesses are still without power, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of restoration efforts. State officials have vowed to provide clear timelines for power restoration, but experts warn that carbon monoxide exposure remains a significant concern.
As the storm continues to bear down on the region, authorities are urging everyone to stay alert and take precautions, particularly those who lack sufficient warm clothing or heating sources. Experts say that even in warmer states like Florida, the extreme cold can pose serious health risks.
In total, at least 13 confirmed deaths have been reported in Tennessee, nine fatalities in Louisiana, and 10 people found dead outside in New York City. The full extent of the damage is still emerging, but one thing is clear: the US east coast is facing a brutal winter storm that will test its resilience for days to come.