Post by : Meena Ariff

A powerful winter storm swept across much of the United States starting Friday, dumping heavy snow over a wide area through the weekend. The storm caused major disruptions, snarling traffic, canceling flights, and knocking out electricity for more than half a million homes and businesses nationwide. By Monday, the snowfall began to ease, but it left behind an intense cold wave expected to last several days.

Cities rushed to mobilize emergency responders and resources on Tuesday, focusing on helping vulnerable groups, especially people experiencing homelessness. Across the country, over 550,000 homes and businesses remained without power as the freezing temperatures took hold.

New York City reported 10 storm-related deaths during the coldest spell it has faced in eight years, with temperatures dropping to a harsh 8 degrees Fahrenheit (about -13 degrees Celsius). Officials noted that some victims had previous contact with shelter services, but it’s not yet clear if all were homeless. Due to the extreme weather, the city postponed its annual homeless count to prioritize bringing people indoors safely.

Since January 19, nearly 500 of the estimated 4,000 homeless people living on the streets and in subway stations have been moved into shelters. Outreach workers are checking frequently on around 350 individuals at high risk due to medical conditions.

In Nashville, Tennessee, where over 135,000 residents remain without power, temperatures were forecast to fall to 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 degrees Celsius) early Wednesday, with dangerously low wind chills. The city’s three homeless shelters and two overflow centers have reached full capacity as emergency crews work nonstop to keep people safe.

The local rescue mission, which usually hosts about 400 people nightly, has seen attendance soar to approximately 7,000 during the cold snap, offering food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. Staff emphasized that no one seeking refuge is turned away during severe weather.

Storm-related fatalities across the US have resulted from hypothermia, exposure to the elements, and heart attacks triggered by strenuous snow removal efforts. In Texas, three young boys tragically died after falling through ice on a frozen pond, while another person died from hypothermia while sheltering in an abandoned gas station. Several other deaths due to cold exposure have been reported in states including Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Michigan.

Currently, nearly 200 million Americans remain under winter weather warnings through at least February 1, as meteorologists monitor the potential for another winter storm to impact the eastern US later this week.

Authorities continue to urge residents to take precautions and check on neighbors, especially those most vulnerable, as the nation endures this historic winter event.

#Global News