NEW YORK: A historic and lethal winter storm is gripping the United States US, paralyzing vast regions and claiming at least seven lives. The powerful system, described as the most severe in years, is delivering a brutal mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, and bone-chilling winds across dozens of states from Washington to Texas and New York to Oklahoma.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared her state is facing its worst winter storm in years, warning of “bone-chilling and dangerously cold” conditions. Temperatures have plummeted to historic lows, reaching -49°C (-56°F) in the rural village of Copenhagen, New York. The storm’s disruption is nationwide: over 16,000 flights have been canceled, more than 800,000 customers are without power, and a state of emergency has been declared in 24 states. An estimated 240 million people across 40 states are expected to feel the storm’s impact.
In response to forecasts of 6 to 10 inches of snow in the capital, federal offices in Washington, D.C., are closed Monday. New York City public schools have shifted to remote learning. Governor Hochul has urged residents to stay indoors as multiple regions brace for up to 18 inches of snow. With the U.S. Meteorological Department warning that the blizzard’s effects will persist into next week, the nation remains in a precarious deep freeze, battling for safety and stability amid the extreme weather.
