Two weeks of winter storms kill dozens and cause cold chaos in parts of the U.S., but a thaw is coming
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The United States has been battered by two weeks of relentless winter storms, resulting in icy road conditions, numerous deaths, and widespread power outages. The extreme weather has taken a toll on both coasts, disrupting daily life and causing chaos. As the nation grapples with these treacherous conditions, there is some relief on the horizon. The National Weather Service predicts above average temperatures for the upcoming week, offering a glimmer of hope to the affected regions.
Despite forecasts, the stormy weather persisted on Friday, unleashing heavier-than-predicted snowfall in cities including New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Michigan City, Indiana, was hit with a staggering 17 inches of lake-effect snow. However, the most significant challenges were faced by areas that were already ravaged earlier in the week.
On the West Coast, the state of Oregon declared a statewide emergency on Thursday, nearly a week after being hit by a crippling ice storm. Thousands of residents in Oregon’s Willamette Valley have been without power since last weekend, a result of the freezing rain. Jamie Kenworthy, a real estate broker in Lane County, expressed frustration as she said, We lost power on Saturday, and we were told yesterday that it would be over two weeks before it’s back on. As of Friday, approximately 90,000 customers in Oregon remained without electricity, according to poweroutage.us.
In Oregon’s largest city, Portland, the impact of the storms forced the cancellation of classes in public schools for the fourth consecutive day. Icy roads and water damage to buildings prompted this measure, and state offices in the city were also shut down.
The southern states also experienced their fair share of challenges. Tennessee, in particular, contended with snowfall and freezing rain that led to dangerous road conditions. Since Sunday, Nashville alone has seen nearly twice its yearly average of 9 inches of snow. Tragically, the severe weather has been cited as the cause of at least 17 deaths in Tennessee, many resulting from traffic accidents.
The extreme cold has also had lethal consequences. In Washington County, Tennessee, a patient in an ambulance and a person in a pickup truck lost their lives in a head-on collision on a snowy road. In Lewisburg, a 25-year-old man was found dead in a mobile home after a space heater fell over and turned off, causing the interior to become dangerously icy.
The impact of the winter storms was far-reaching, with reports of deaths from exposure across multiple states. Washington state reported five deaths, presumed to be among the homeless population, due to extreme cold temperatures. Even Louisiana, located in the south, recorded two deaths resulting from exposure as temperatures remained below freezing for an extended period.
The cold weather led to significant infrastructure issues, including water mains breaking in Memphis, Tennessee, which resulted in the entire city being placed on a boil water notice. The low water pressure compelled Memphis Light, Gas and Water to distribute bottled water at designated locations.
In Jackson, Mississippi, authorities are investigating whether social media rumors about a potential water outage during the cold snap led individuals to fill their bathtubs with tap water. While service was restored by Friday, the incident caused a temporary drop in water pressure.
The winter storms also had an impact on blood donation centers, as the extreme weather led to a significant decrease in donations. Blood Assurance, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, had to advise over 70 hospitals in five states to suspend elective surgeries temporarily to allow the organization to replenish its inventory. The combination of severe weather and increased blood transfusions put immense strain on the blood supply.
As the Midwest braces for another blast of frigid air, with wind chills expected to reach as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 34 degrees Celsius) through Sunday, the turmoil caused by the winter storms shows no signs of abating. The effects have been particularly felt in North Dakota’s Bakken oil fields, where over 60 oil spills and other environmental incidents have been reported. The extreme cold and high wind chills have strained workers and equipment, elevating the risk of accidents.
Buffalo, New York, recently emerged from a five-day onslaught of lake-enhanced snowfall that buried parts of the city and its suburbs under five feet of snow. In response, the Buffalo Bills football team appealed for snow shovelers to help clear out Highmark Stadium before their divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, offering an hourly wage of $20.
The winter storms have even impacted the legislative process, with the West Virginia Legislature cutting short its session due to impassable highways caused by heavy snowfall.
In Washington, D.C., snow blanketed the streets, resulting in the closure of schools for the second time in a week. However, President Joe Biden forged ahead with his plans to host mayors from across the country, and subsequently, he headed to his beach home in Delaware for the weekend.
Despite the challenges and devastating consequences faced by numerous states as a result of the winter storms, a glimmer of hope lies ahead. Above average temperatures are forecast in the coming week, offering respite from the bitter cold and additional chaos wrought by the storms.
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