At least 34 people died in the United States as a result of the intense winter storm that hit large areas of the country during the last week, according to the most recent count from state authorities.
The deaths occurred in incidents related to extreme cold, traffic accidents, falls into frozen ponds and being run over by snowplows.Eight of the deceased were found outdoors in New York City, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office, Dora Pekec, indicated that the deaths occurred in open spaces.“We cannot confirm the cause of the deaths, but we can say that the deceased were all outside,” he said, referring to prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
The storm, described by the National Weather Service as “monstrous,” extended its impact from Texas and Arkansas to New York and Massachusetts.The phenomenon covered a stretch of more than 2,000 kilometers with snow and ice, creating dangerous conditions on roads and leaving entire regions without electricity.More than 550,000 customers were still without power this Tuesday, especially in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.
In southern states, traditionally less prepared for extreme cold events, thousands of families had to be evacuated to heated shelters.Nashville resident Lisa Patterson said her home was left isolated and dark for days until she was rescued with her husband and dog.
“This was unprecedented,” he said.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that being outdoors for just ten minutes could result in frostbite or hypothermia.
Among the victims are three children in Texas who died after falling into a frozen pond, two people hit by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, teenagers killed in sledding accidents in Arkansas and Texas, and a woman found under the snow in Kansas.In New York, all deaths recorded so far occurred outdoors over the weekend, although the exact causes are still being investigated.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in at least ten states. New York City closed its school system due to the volume of snow, which reached 38 centimeters in some neighborhoods, the heaviest snowfall in years.The extreme cold also forced the suspension of classes at universities such as Mississippi, whose campus remained covered in dangerous ice.
The National Weather Service maintains extreme cold alerts from Texas to Pennsylvania and warns that new storms are expected for next weekend.In locations in northern Florida, thermometers could drop to -4°C, while wind chills in other regions could reach -29°C.
Power outages have aggravated the situation.In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves reported severe damage to at least 14 homes and 20 public roads following the worst ice storm since 1994. Emergency crews are working to restore power, but officials warn it could take several days before all services are restored.
The impact of the storm has been especially hard for those who do not have a safe place to shelter.In Nashville, Nathan Hoffner spent the night covered in blankets with his young son and a roommate after losing power.“I saw my breath inside the house,” he said.
The situation remains critical in much of the country, where the authorities ask the population to avoid displacement and seek refuge from the risk of new cold waves and snowfall.Rescue teams and electrical crews remain on high alert while the emergency persists.
(With information from The Associated Press and Europa Press)
