In a week marred by frigid conditions, the U.S. witnesses over 80 weather-related fatalities.
As the nation grapples with a relentless winter onslaught, CBS News reports a grim tally of 83 confirmed weather-related deaths. The Tennessee Department of Health confirms 19 fatalities, while Oregon mourns 16, including a tragic incident where a tree fell on a car, claiming three lives while sparing a baby, as previously reported by CBS News.
Additional fatalities have been reported in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Washington, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, and other states. Investigations are ongoing for some deaths, such as a victim in a five-way car crash in Kentucky and four deaths in Illinois, two of which resulted from a car accident. Several states issue warnings to drivers, urging caution due to hazardous road conditions during the ongoing deep freeze. Mississippi advises residents to drive only if necessary, emphasizing the risk of black ice on the roads.
The weekend brings no respite from the perilous weather conditions, with tens of millions facing bitter cold and below-average temperatures. The eastern half of the country anticipates some of the season’s coldest weather, featuring dangerous wind chills and hard freeze warnings extending into Northern Florida.
Safety precautions are paramount in such extreme weather, with experts advising layers for outdoor exposure, caution with devices like space heaters, and vigilant monitoring for symptoms of serious conditions like hypothermia.
On the West Coast, Oregon grapples with a state of emergency following deadly ice storms that left over 45,000 customers without power. Power outages also afflict Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico, and Indiana. Snowy and icy conditions are forecasted to persist into early next week.
Meteorologist Molly McCollum warns of treacherous travel conditions from Oklahoma to Illinois on Monday, as Arctic air collides with Gulf moisture. By mid-week, a potential thaw looms, accompanied by warm air and rain, bringing the heightened risk of flooding to the Midwest and Northeast, according to The Weather Channel forecast.
