A dangerous winter storm has swept across the United States, leaving at least 11 people dead and hundreds of thousands of homes without electricity. U.S. media report that the life-threatening cold is expected to persist throughout the week.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), schools and roads across the country have been closed and flights have been canceled, as hazardous, life-threatening conditions stretch from Texas to New England.
More than 17,000 flights have been canceled in total due to the storm. Schools in major cities either canceled classes or switched to remote learning on Monday. Fifteen states are facing snowfall amounts of 30 centimeters (12 inches) or more.
Nearly 90 million people are under extreme cold watches or warnings, raising serious concerns for those who are homeless or without electricity for extended periods.
Damaging ice has left over 1 million customers without power across the Mid-Atlantic and the South. Power outages could last for several days in Nashville, Mississippi, which was among the hardest-hit areas, and beyond.
Heavy snow and sleet covered sections of Interstate 95 in the Northeast, with several cities — including Boston — expecting their heaviest snowfall in years.
The Arctic air mass following the winter storm is expected to worsen conditions long after the storm itself ends.
Of the more than 1 million customers who lost power on Sunday, many may remain without heating as temperatures plunge to 10 and 20 degrees Celsius below freezing, increasing the risk of burst water pipes due to prolonged lack of heat.
Extreme cold, ice, and snow are also expected to hinder repair efforts, making it more difficult for crews to restore power as freezing temperatures continue throughout the coming week.
