A severe snowstorm has battered the United States over the past two days, wreaking havoc across the eastern and central regions. By Tuesday morning, nearly 30 people had lost their lives due to extreme cold and snow-related incidents. Arctic winds have caused temperatures to plunge to minus 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, bringing daily life to a standstill. The storm, stretching approximately 2,100 kilometers from Texas to New England, has left over 20 million residents under extreme cold warnings, with snow accumulation reported in more than 30 states.
Infrastructure has been severely impacted, with ice-laden snow causing power lines and utility poles to collapse. In Tennessee alone, more than 230,000 residents are experiencing power outages, while over 700,000 people across the country have been affected. The intense weather has disrupted transportation, grounding flights and halting road traffic, making commuting and essential services extremely difficult.
Air travel has been heavily affected, with 12,000 flights cancelled on Monday and another 4,000 on Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports. Fatalities have also occurred due to cold exposure and accidents: five people in New York City died outdoors due to sub-zero temperatures, while several others across Tennessee, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Texas suffered from hypothermia or road accidents. In Massachusetts and Ohio, snow removal vehicles struck pedestrians, causing additional deaths. Authorities continue to issue warnings and advise residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.