Freezing ice in the southern United States: dozens dead, millions without electricity

An unprecedented winter storm has been raging across the southeastern United States since yesterday, bringing cooler temperatures than in Alaska. In the state of Nebraska, the mercury has dropped to 35 degrees below zero. In the generally warm Dallas, Texas, a temperature of -17 degrees was measured.

Due to the cold, many places where the coronavirus vaccination is closed and vaccine deliveries were also at risk. According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, natural gas supplies are also in trouble due to pipeline freezes.

Blackouts

Local authorities in Texas received a storm of criticism when the power grid collapsed in weather, with power outages statewide. Across Texas, more than 4.4 million homes were without power. At an afternoon press conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner reported that his city’s 1.3 million residents were still without electricity at the time.

The weather has killed at least 21 people in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Missouri. Four people died on the road from the cold. A homeless man froze to death, and a mother and daughter died of carbon monoxide poisoning when they tried to heat their home by turning on a car engine. Four people died in a burning house where the electricity was cut.

Help the government

President Joe Biden has pledged federal assistance to governors of affected states. Extreme weather conditions in the southeastern United States will last until Friday. About four inches of winter precipitation is forecast.