A brutal winter storm, dubbed “Vern,” continues to grip much of the United States, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. At least 21 fatalities have been attributed to the extreme weather, while power outages have impacted over 800,000 homes across the nation. A state of emergency has been declared in 20 states as transportation networks face widespread disruptions.
The Great Lakes region is experiencing dangerously low temperatures, with readings plummeting below -20 degrees Celsius. In parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, temperatures have dipped even further, reaching below -30 degrees Celsius, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters warn that the frigid conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days as a polar air mass descends upon the central states, potentially driving wind chill values down to an alarming -45 degrees Celsius.
Heavy snowfall, exceeding 30 centimeters in approximately 20 states, has wreaked havoc on power grids. According to PowerOutage.us, a website that tracks power outages, more than 820,000 customers remained without electricity Monday morning, particularly in the southern United States, where ice accumulation has caused power lines to collapse. Tennessee is experiencing widespread blackouts, with approximately 250,000 people affected, while Mississippi reports over 150,000 customers without power. Authorities caution that the power crisis could persist for several days.
“Power outages could last for several days,” one weather expert warned, adding that authorities are facing significant challenges in recovering from the storm’s impact, especially in regions unaccustomed to such severe conditions and lacking adequate resources for snow removal and damage repair.
The storm has brought with it significant ice accumulation, described as potentially “catastrophic” by the National Weather Service. Media reports confirm that at least 21 people have died as a result of accidents and hypothermia. In Texas, authorities reported three fatalities, including a 16-year-old girl who died in a sledding accident. Two deaths due to hypothermia were reported in Louisiana.
