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Severe Winter Storm Impacts the US
* Widespread Deaths: At least six deaths have been reported across the US, including in New York, Texas, and Louisiana. While not all confirmed as whether-related, officials emphasize the danger of extreme cold.
* Massive Power Outages: Over 840,000 customers are without electricity, primarily in the southern US states (Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia).
* Travel Disruption: Extensive flight cancellations (over 19,000 since Saturday) and road closures are impacting travel across a large area, from Texas to North Carolina and New York. Major airports in Washington, Philadelphia, and new York are heavily affected.
* States of Emergency: at least 20 states and Washington D.C. have declared states of emergency.
* Affected Regions: The storm initially hit the South, then moved towards the Northeast, impacting cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. The northern plains and upper midwest face a prolonged period of life-threatening cold.
* Cause: The storm is linked to a stretched polar vortex, bringing Arctic air southward.
* Climate Change Debate: Scientists suggest a possible link between the increasing frequency of these disruptions and climate change, while donald Trump questioned the connection, asking “Whatever happened to global warming???”
* Dangerous Conditions: The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of long-duration power outages, tree damage, and extremely dangerous travel conditions. Wind chill lows are forecast to reach perhaps fatal levels (-45C or lower) in some areas.