Washington: A devastating winter storm has so far claimed at least 38 lives across 14 states, with bitter cold continuing to grip central and eastern U.S. regions as recovery efforts intensify. According to reports, the storm — which intensified last Friday — dumped heavy snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures, causing widespread chaos before easing Monday.
Deaths span states including Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Michigan, and others, primarily from hypothermia, exposure, and snow-shoveling heart attacks, the reports said. In Bonham, Texas, three young people drowned after falling into an icy pond, while another succumbed to hypothermia in Austin. Power outages affected over 550,000 homes, flight cancellations snarled travel, and roads remained treacherous from ice buildup, the reports added.
President Trump urged vigilance as arctic air lingers, with wind chills dipping to -50°F in some areas. The National Weather Service warns of prolonged freezes, potential frostbite in minutes outdoors, and another East Coast storm this weekend. Governors in the affected states activated emergency shelters and deployed snowplows amid reports of vehicles trapped and medical emergencies.
Utilities scramble to restore power, with some southern regions facing weeks-long blackouts. In New York City, eight frozen bodies were found outdoors, and incidents like snowplow strikes in Massachusetts and Ohio added to the toll. Federal aid is en route, focusing on vulnerable populations.
