Death toll rises to more than 80 as US continues to grapple with bone-chilling cold
WASHINGTON, DC: A frigid Arctic air mass has descended across the central and eastern United States, driving temperatures to dangerously cold levels, disrupting infrastructure, and claiming over 80 lives.
States of emergency have been declared as communities deal with the fallout from the record-breaking cold snap that forecasters warn still has over a week left to run its course, as reported by CBS News.
There have been 83 confirmed weather-related fatalities linked to the past week's winter weather, according to a CBS News tally, even as dangerous cold continues to impact the nation.https://t.co/WThlozjCRx
— CBS News Miami (@CBSMiami) January 20, 2024
Fatalities mount across United States as temperatures continue to plummet
There have been 83 confirmed weather-related deaths connected to the winter weather this past week. This includes 19 fatalities verified by the Tennessee Department of Health and 16 deaths in Oregon, state officials said.
The Oregon deaths include 3 adults who were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle during an ice storm. A baby in the vehicle survived.
Additional deaths were reported in other states like Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Washington, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York and New Jersey. However, some fatalities remain under investigation to confirm they are weather-related.
These includes a death from a five-way automobile accident in Kentucky and 4 deaths in Illinois, including 2 people killed in a vehicle crash. Some states warned motorists to take extra precaution given the slippery road conditions.
Experts advise layering up when going outside
Dangerous cold weather persists across most parts of the nation, according to meteorologists. Tens of millions faced below-average temperatures on Saturday, January 20, especially throughout the Midwest and Northeast.
The eastern US may see the coldest weather yet this winter season, along with perilous wind chills and hard freeze warnings extending into North Florida. Experts advise layering up when going outside, operating heating devices safely indoors and watching for signs of hypothermia.
On the West Coast, Oregon remains under a state of emergency following ice storms that knocked out power. More than 45,000 customers did not have electricity in Oregon. Power outages also occurred in Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico and Indiana.
Forecasters say icy conditions could last into early next week. A new winter storm may bring more snow and ice from Oklahoma to Illinois after moisture from the Gulf combines with Arctic air.
"Travel will be treacherous on Monday," warned Molly McCollum, a meteorologist with The Weather Channel.
