Overview
At least 38 people from 14 states have died due to a severe winter storm that affected central and eastern parts of the United States, according to local authorities and news reports by Tuesday.
Storm’s Impact
The storm began to develop on Friday and dumped snow across a wide region over the weekend. The heavy snow paralyzed road traffic, caused widespread flight cancellations and power outages before easing up on Monday. However, it left behind intense cold that is expected to persist.
Power Outages and Homelessness
On Tuesday, cities mobilized emergency teams and resources to ensure the safety of residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Over 550,000 households and businesses across the country were still without power.
New York City
In New York City, where temperatures were the coldest in eight years, 10 fatalities were reported. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that these victims were found outdoors, and it was unclear if they were homeless. However, some of the deceased had interactions with the city’s shelter system in the past.
More than 4,000 homeless individuals are estimated to live on the streets and in the subway system of New York City. Since January 19, over 500 have been housed in shelters, with workers checking on 350 high-risk individuals every two hours due to underlying medical issues.
Nashville, Tennessee
In Nashville, a city of approximately 680,000 residents, more than 135,000 households and businesses remain without power. The temperature is expected to drop to -14 degrees Celsius by Wednesday morning.
“Let’s be clear about this,” said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell in a press conference. “It’s a historic ice storm.”
Other Fatalities
In Bonham, Texas, three children died after falling into an icy pond over the weekend, though the exact circumstances remain unclear, according to local fire department reports.
In Austin, a person died from apparent hypothermia while seeking shelter in an abandoned gas station. Additional hypothermia-related deaths were reported in Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Michigan, according to local media.
Ongoing Cold Weather Threat
Nearly 200 million Americans are under some form of winter weather alert until at least February 1, according to the National Weather Service.
Meteorologists are monitoring another potential winter storm expected to affect the eastern U.S. over the weekend, said David Roth of the National Weather Service’s Prediction Center.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation? A massive winter storm has left at least 38 people dead across 14 states in the eastern U.S.
- Who are the victims? The victims include people from various states, with 10 fatalities reported in New York City.
- What challenges are being faced? Power outages, road closures, flight cancellations, and extreme cold are major issues.
- How is the homeless population being affected? Cities are mobilizing resources to ensure the safety of homeless individuals, with over 500 housed in shelters in New York City.
- What are the ongoing weather threats? Nearly 200 million Americans remain under some form of winter weather alert, with another potential storm expected over the weekend.
