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
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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.
ICYMI: At least 27 dead due to winter weather across the nation in recent days
Officials across the US have reported at least 27 weather-related deaths in recent days as arctic temperatures and heavy snow blow across the nation.
In Portland, Oregon, hypothermia from the arctic cold and downed trees have killed at least eight people, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. A downed power line also killed three people in Portland, according to Oregon Live. It was previously reported a 2-year-old was also injured in the incident. However, they were uninjured and taken to a nearby hospital.
And in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, three unhoused men have been found dead with suspected hypothermia in the freezing cold streets.
Once wind chills hit below -25F (-31C) — as they did in several states across the country this week — hypothermia can occur within just 15 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Meanwhile, seven people are dead in Tennessee after extreme winter weather hit the state earlier this week, The Tennesseean reports.
Driving has also proven particularly dangerous throughout the country.
One man in White County, Arkansas died after crossing the centre lane while driving and crashing into a tree on Sunday, according to police records. Roads throughout the state were unsafe at the time due to snow and ice. Officials in Mississippi said that one person had died while driving on Highway 49 just south of Silver City at around 8 pm local time on Sunday.
Three storm-related deaths were also reported in Erie County, New York, officials told local outlet WIVB. A 64-year-old man died while shovelling snow, while a 57-year-old woman was found dead near her snowblower. A third man died following a hit-and-run car crash on Monday.
Meanwhile, a skier was killed by a 50-foot avalanche in Wyoming on Tuesday, CBS News reports, while the state was facing -40F (-40C) wind chills and winter weather advisories. This also marked the third avalanche-related death in the western US this year.
Iowa officials warn of whiteout conditions on major roadways
Iowa officials say that high winds and dry snow are a dangerous combination for drivers today.
“Remember Feb 5, 2018, the 60+ pileup on I-35 near Ames? Similar conditions may be seen today around the PM commute,” officials with the National Weather Service for Des Moines wrote on X. “Heavy and blowing snow can change road conditions and visibility VERY quickly.”
Their post was accompanied by footage of the 2018 pile-up, a stark reminder to drivers of the dangers of whiteouts.
Pacific Northwest braces for even more freezing rain
Freezing rain will return to Oregon and Washington this evening into Friday morning, forecasters say.
“Freezing rain could return to portions of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington Thursday evening into Friday morning,” officials with the National Weather Service for Portland, Oregon said on X. “The highest chances are within the western Columbia River Gorge and eastern Portland/Vancouver Metro Area.”
Residents should avoid travel if possible.
The region is already reeling from an ice storm earlier this week that killed at least eleven people.
Hypothermia from the arctic cold and downed trees falling on homes killed at least eight people across the state, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. In addition, a downed power line killed three people in Portland on Wednesday morning. 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.
Power outages could increase in Portland
Officials say Portland, Oregon residents should prepare for more outages as the city braces for yet another freezing rain storm.
“Breezy winds will also impact the Portland metro area & the western Gorge today into tomorrow,” officials with National Weather Service for Portland said on X. “Be prepared for additional downed trees, powerlines, & power outages due to the additional ice accumulation along with breezy winds.”
Earlier this week, more than 80,000 customers lost power due to downed lines and high winds — and as of Thursday afternoon, there are still more than 40,000 people without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Winter storms set to begin yet again in New York, New Jersey
Officials in both New York and New Jersey have issued warnings about an impending snowstorm Friday morning.
Residents of New York City should expect 2-3 inches of snow from Friday morning to Friday evening, while Jersey City residents should prepare for 1-3 inches of snow beginning in the early morning hours, officials warn.
This blanket of snow will arrive just days after the Big Apple ended its two-year snowless streak thanks to a storm on Tuesday.
Air travel chaos appeared to alleviate mid-week, may resume with more snow
Air travel has been a disaster for people flying into, out of or within the US over the past several days as winter storms hit nearly every region of the US.
However, yesterday’s delays and cancellations were at their lowest in several days.
On Wednesday, only 6,128 flights into, out of or within the US were delayed while 1,191 were cancelled, according to FlightAware. That’s a marked improvement from earlier this week, when travellers were impacted by 20,000 delays and nearly 6,000 cancellations across Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, as of Thursday evening, just over 3,500 flights have been delayed and nearly 700 cancelled.
But with another round of snow hitting the midwest and northeast, travel conditions could deteriorate again soon.
ICYMI: Drivers in Iowa must use caution tonight, officials say
Iowa officials say that high winds and dry snow will be a dangerous combination for drivers today, creating possible whiteout conditions.
“Remember Feb 5, 2018, the 60+ pileup on I-35 near Ames? Similar conditions may be seen today around the PM commute,” officials with the National Weather Service for Des Moines wrote on X. “Heavy and blowing snow can change road conditions and visibility VERY quickly.”
Their post was accompanied by footage of the 2018 pile-up, a stark reminder to drivers of the dangers of whiteouts.
ICYMI: Highest and lowest temperatures in the US yesterday were more than 100 degrees apart
The lowest and highest temperatures recorded in the US on Wednesday morning were 111 degrees apart, according to the National Weather Service.
Monticello, Kentucky hit -22F (-30C) yesterday morning, while Atlantis, Florida hit 89F (31C).
See the cloud stream that blew over the central US today
Satellite imagery from the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University shows the high and low cloud tops that covered the central US today.
Now, the northeast is next on the list to receive more snow and cold temperatures tomorrow into the weekend.
ICYMI: How can you protect yourself from winter weather dangers?
An arctic blast brought sub-zero wind chills to much of the country this week, posing various hazards and dangers to impacted communities.
Several deaths from hypothermia have been reported across the US, and cold temperatures can mean dangerous, icy roads for travellers.
Extreme cold also disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly, people with a chronic illness, outdoor workers, and unhoused people, according to the National Weather Service.
Read more from Juan A. Lozano on what public safety officials say you can do to keep yourself safe:
How can you protect yourself from winter weather dangers? Experts offer tips
The arctic blast of winter weather that is gripping much of the US this week is also bringing with it various hazards that people have to contend with to keep warm and safe
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