A particularly severe winter storm is sweeping across the east coast of the United States. The consequences are already devastating, but the authorities expect even worse.
USA – A violent storm system is moving across the east coast of the USA and is bringing weather extremes with it. More than 91 million people are affected. According to the news channel CNN, almost 300,000 households lost electricity. At least three people have already died from the effects of the winter storm. The states of Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania have been hit particularly hard by the power outages.
In the north of the country, the violent winter storm is causing heavy snowfall. In some places, more than one and a half meters are said to have fallen. Numerous roads had to be closed. The authorities also warn of freezing wetness, which could turn roads, sidewalks and parking lots into mirror-smooth surfaces of ice.
Weather extremes in the USA: Winter storm moves across the country
In the south, the storm is bringing heavy rain, overflowing rivers and flooding roads. Thousands of flights have already had to be cancelled. Hundreds of roads are currently no longer passable due to the heavy snowfall. Several sections of the route have already been closed. Accidents occurred in a number of places as a result of the winter storm. On many roads there were traffic jams, some of them kilometers long, in both directions.
Numerous schools had to be closed due to the severe winter storm. In the state of Massachusetts in particular, the authorities recommended that the population not leave the house until further notice. Warnings have also been issued in the states of Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Illinois. In some places there is a fear that the winter storm could expand into a blizzard. The major cities of Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit are on the determined route of the winter storm.
Weather in USA: Winter storm meets tornado
In Texas in particular, the population again fears severe effects from the winter storm. Last year, a similar weather phenomenon caused a week-long power outage in the “Lonestar State”.
According to the forecasts, the winter storm remains a threat to the east coast of the United States. Meteorologists are again expecting strong winds and heavy snowfall in several states of the United States on Friday. At the same time, a tornado warning was issued in the US state of Mississippi. (Daniel Dillman)
Header list image: © John Moore / afp
