The massive winter storm pummeling sections of the United States has escalated into a “bomb cyclone,” and 60 percent of the population is under a winter weather alert.
As a severe winter storm swept most of the country, tens of millions of Americans faced bone-chilling cold, blizzard conditions, power outages, and canceled Christmas plans.
More than 200 million people, or roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, were under some type of winter weather advisory or warning on Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which described the storm as “historic.”
Temperatures have plummeted across the central states, with Montana recording a low of -50 degrees Fahrenheit (-45.6 degrees Celsius).
According to the National Weather Service, locations such as Des Moines, Iowa, will see a temperature of -37F (-38C), making frostbite likely in less than five minutes.
More than 1.4 million homes and businesses were without electricity on Friday morning, and more than 3,100 flights into and out of U.S. airports were canceled the day before Christmas Eve.
According to the state’s governor, three fatalities have already been reported on Kentucky roads.
The storm has now escalated into a bomb cyclone, according to the National Weather Service, which reports that the storm’s air pressure has decreased sufficiently in the past 24 hours to qualify it as one.
The enormous storm spanned from one border to the next. British Columbia in Canada reached a low of -62.7F (-52.6C). And in Mexico, migrants waited in extremely frigid temperatures near the US border for a court judgment on easing asylum requirements.
Residents of Florida have been cautioned to be on the lookout for iguanas falling from trees, as sub-zero temperatures can cause the cold-blooded animals to lose their grip and tumble to the ground.
More than 181 million people are affected by wind chill advisories, and 11 million by blizzard warnings. The temperature in certain regions has fallen by more than 30 degrees in a matter of minutes, according to forecasters.
By the time the weather system has moved through, an estimated 192 million people will have experienced wind chills below zero in 46 states.
Hundreds of drivers are trapped
More than 100 motorists became stuck in South Dakota as the arctic storm brought subzero temperatures to the state.
As police sought to rescue stranded motorists, the local sheriff’s office instructed motorists to remain in their vehicles and dial 911.
Robert Oliver, the emergency manager for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, stated that tribal authorities have been attempting to clear roads to provide propane and firewood to houses, but a relentless wind has caused drifts of up to 10 feet in some areas. He stated that five people have perished in previous storms, including last week’s snowfall.
Between Wednesday night and Thursday morning in Minnesota, police responded to over 50 car crashes.
The State Patrol reported that 118 vehicle spinouts and a semi-truck collision were caused by wet highways.
According to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the winter storm system left some motorists trapped on city streets in South Dakota. Workers evacuated individuals from their automobiles throughout the night. An agency photograph depicted individuals sleeping on makeshift beds on the floor of a structure.
This is not like a snow day from your childhood.
President Joe Biden has advised the American people to take the storm seriously.
After a briefing by government officials, he stated, “This is not like a snow day when you were a child.”
This is serious business.
Demand is high in homeless shelters.
In Portland, Oregon, four emergency shelters were opened. Steven Venus attempted to board a light-rail train in the city’s center after spending the night huddled on the pavement in subzero conditions.
He paused beside a flimsy tent where another homeless guy was seeking refuge and stated, “My toes were freezing off.”
Courtney Dodds, a spokesperson for the Union Gospel Mission, stated that her organization has dispatched teams to encourage individuals to seek shelter.
“It can be incredibly simple for people to fall asleep due to the cold weather and lose their lives,” she said.
