More than 90 Dead after Fierce US Winter Storms

Over 90 deaths caused by severe winter storms have been reported in the US over the past week.

There have been numerous fatalities reported, with Tennessee and Oregon being the hardest hit. Oregon is still grappling with the aftermath of severe ice storms and remains in a state of emergency.

Many individuals are still experiencing power outages in various parts of the nation.

The icy conditions are expected to improve in the coming days.

In the past week, a total of 92 fatalities caused by severe weather have been recorded nationwide, as reported by CBS, the US partner of the BBC.

Although the highest number of deaths have occurred in Tennessee and Oregon, there have also been reports of fatalities in Mississippi, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, and other locations.

Last Wednesday in Portland, Oregon, a tragic incident occurred when three individuals lost their lives due to an unfortunate accident. Powerful winds caused a power line to fall and strike the vehicle they were travelling in, resulting in their untimely demise. A baby miraculously survived the incident.

Additional fatalities are currently being investigated, including the tragic loss of an individual in a multi-vehicle collision in Kentucky and four others in Illinois.

Tragically, five individuals, the majority of whom are believed to be homeless, lost their lives within a span of only four days in Seattle, as reported by the Associated Press.

Officials in Mississippi are urging drivers to exercise caution and limit their travel due to the current weather conditions. They are advising everyone to be mindful of the presence of black ice on the roads. Due to the conditions, colleges and universities in the state have postponed students’ return from winter break.

The number of fatalities in the state increased to 11 following the announcement of three additional deaths on Sunday.

Mississippi officials are currently looking into the possibility of online rumours causing residents to store water in their bathtubs due to concerns about potential storm-related water shortages. The action resulted in a brief decrease in water pressure and left numerous residents in Jackson, the capital of the state, without access to water from their faucets. This city has a long-standing history of water problems.

Water problems persist in Tennessee, with 400,000 people still under a boil water notice caused by broken pipes in the Memphis area. This issue is not unique, as there are nearly 30 other areas facing similar warnings. The local utility there has successfully repaired 41 water mains and over 4,000 water pipes due to the recent cold temperatures.

“Please be advised to use boiled or bottled water for all your drinking, ice-making, teeth-brushing, dish-washing, and food-preparation needs until further notice,” the company announced on X. “It is important to note that tap water is safe for bathing and showering. However, it is advisable to be cautious and avoid ingesting it.”

Restaurants and bars in the US southern city were reportedly facing challenges on Sunday, as they resorted to using bottled water to serve customers. Some establishments had to close temporarily or make adjustments to their menus.

Although electricity has been mostly restored in many parts of the US affected by the winter weather, there are still tens of thousands of individuals who continue to be without power throughout the country.

As of Sunday evening, a significant number of individuals in Oregon were experiencing power outages. Additional power outages have been reported in Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico, and Indiana.

Be aware of the ice storm warning issued by the National Weather Service for Monday in certain areas of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Driving conditions are expected to be dangerous in many parts of the country throughout Monday.

Following that, there is anticipation of a thaw, with certain meteorologists cautioning about the potential for flooding in certain areas of the Midwest and north-eastern US due to warm air and rain.

By the end of the week, temperatures in certain eastern regions of the country may surpass the typical average for this time of year.