International Desk
An intense winter weather system affecting wide areas of the United States has resulted in at least 20 reported deaths and triggered widespread power outages, transportation disruptions, and school closures, officials said.
Authorities confirmed fatalities in multiple states, including New York, Tennessee, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Kansas and Pennsylvania. In Texas, a teenage girl was killed during a sledding accident as icy conditions created dangerous outdoor environments.
New York state has reported eight storm-related deaths since late last week, while officials in other states said several fatalities remain under review as investigators determine whether extreme cold or related incidents were the primary cause.
The storm has severely impacted air travel, with more than 10,000 flights cancelled or delayed across the country. Utility companies reported that hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity as snow, ice, and strong winds damaged power lines and substations.
Local and state governments urged residents to limit travel as road conditions deteriorated. Schools shifted to remote learning in several regions, while emergency services responded to weather-related incidents.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said conditions in his state were gradually improving but warned that the danger had not fully passed. “We’re seeing improvement, but the risk remains,” he said.
According to the National Weather Service, a prolonged cold wave is expected to affect much of the eastern United States this week. Forecasters warned that unusually low temperatures could set new records across many areas.
Although snowfall is forecast to taper off in most locations, freezing conditions are expected to persist. Meteorologists said remaining snow activity will likely move into eastern Canada by Tuesday.
In New York City, winter cleanup efforts continued as pedestrians navigated icy sidewalks and snow-covered streets. Officials asked residents to avoid unnecessary driving while crews worked to restore normal conditions.
City authorities announced that public schools would return to classroom learning on Tuesday following a day of online classes. Weather officials cautioned that accumulated snow is unlikely to melt quickly due to sustained freezing temperatures.
No comments: