Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Winter storms leave 89 dead across US as chill settles over Great Lakes and Northeast

A downed power line killed three in Oregon as northeast braces for more snow

Louise Boyle,Kelly Rissman,Katie Hawkinson
Sunday 21 January 2024 10:20 EST
Comments
Private plane makes emergency landing on a highway due to snowy conditions

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

At least 89 people have been killed across the country over the past two weeks as severe weather plagues the United States, according to an updated count by CBS News.

The most winter weather-related deaths have occurred in Tennessee after a truck spun out of control due to snowy conditions, causing it to slam into a tractor-trailer.

The governor of Oregon declared a state of emergency as its state is being pelted with freezing rain and winter storms that have led to fallen trees, massive power outages and at least 16 deaths.

Two adults and one teenager died after a power line fell onto a car in northeast Portland on Wednesday morning following a severe storm in Oregon. Officials also found an uninjured two-year-old on the scene whom they took to the hospital.

Now, several inches of lake-effect snow is hitting the Great Lakes region and northeast US, while arctic temperatures settle over the southeast US.

In Florida, meteorologists say low temperatures could impact wildlife, leading to a rare weather-related phenomenon: falling iguanas.

The severe winter storms have also unleashed travel chaos across the country, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and delays across the country.

In photos: Snow blankets Alabama

Motorists travel down a snow and ice covered road, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in downtown Florence, Ala. (Dan Busey/The TimesDaily via AP)
Motorists travel down a snow and ice covered road, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in downtown Florence, Ala. (Dan Busey/The TimesDaily via AP) (AP)
A man crosses North Pine Street as motorists navigate an ice and snow covered road, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 in downtown Florence, Ala.. (Dan Busey/The TimesDaily via AP)
A man crosses North Pine Street as motorists navigate an ice and snow covered road, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 in downtown Florence, Ala.. (Dan Busey/The TimesDaily via AP) (AP)
Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 20:45

Beautiful snowflakes captured in NYC amid Friday’s snow

Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 21:00

ICYMI: Three people were tragically killed in Oregon amid storms

Three people have died after a power line fell onto a car in Northeast Portland on Wednesday morning following a severe storm in Oregon.

Firefighters were called to reports of a “person on fire” just before 11:45 am on Wednesday, officials said, where they found three people and a small child lying in the street.

The four people were found around 35 feet from an SUV which had a powerline draped over it that had been pinned down by a large tree branch, fire officials added.

Officials said two adults and one teenager were found dead at the scene, while a two-year-old was taken to the hospital without injuries.

An 18-year-old heroically ventured out into the storm, crouched below the power line, and rescued the baby.

Miraculously, neither she nor the child were electrocuted.

Read the full story...

Three people killed after power line falls on car amid Oregon storms

If a power line comes down on a vehicle, occupants should stay inside and call 911 unless there is ‘imminent danger,’ an official warned

Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 21:15

WATCH: Wind skier glides across snow-covered Cleveland beach as waves buffet shore

Wind skier glides across snow-covered Cleveland beach as waves buffet shore
Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 21:30

Snowfall in New York

The city’s snow is supposed to continue through 6pm on Friday, Fox NY reported, and could continue until 8pm on parts of Long Island.

Other parts of the tri-state area have seen up to 5 inches of snow, NBC New York reported.

The continuing snowfall into the evening could create hazardous conditions for commuters and cause low visibility.

Still, many in New York have rejoiced at the snowfall, as storms earlier this week ended the city’s snow drought.

Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 22:00

In photos: Volunteers help dig out the Buffalo Bills’ stadium ahead of playoff game

Young Bills fan sits in the snow
Young Bills fan sits in the snow
Workers remove snow from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Workers remove snow from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP)
A Buffalo Bills fan watches the game at Highmark Stadium, New York, 15 January
A Buffalo Bills fan watches the game at Highmark Stadium, New York, 15 January (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters )
Buffalo Bills fans help shovel snow out of stadium
Buffalo Bills fans help shovel snow out of stadium (Accu-weather)
Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 22:15

ICYMi: Plane lands on Loudoun County Parkway in Virginia

Plane lands on Loudoun County Parkway in Virginia
Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 22:30

Satellite shows clouds over the Great Lakes

Kelly Rissman19 January 2024 23:00

WATCH: Lighthouses freeze into ice sculptures in Michigan

Lighthouses freeze into ice sculptures in Michigan
Kelly Rissman20 January 2024 00:00

Frozen to death

The frigid temperatures have resulted in deaths across the nation.

Five people died from exposure to cold in Washington state, PBS reported.

In Kansas, an 18-year-old man was found dead in a ditch on Wednesday, not far from where his car was stuck in snow, according to AP.

Meanwhile, in Oregon, three people — two adults and one teenager — died after being electrocuted by a down power line trying to take in a baby from the cold. A 18-year-old neighbour rescued the baby, who was still alive and lying on her father. The local fire and rescue team are still perplexed as to how neither the child nor the 18-year-old were shocked to death.

Kelly Rissman20 January 2024 01:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in