Nearly one million homes in the United States are without electricity after a massive winter storm delivered blizzards and below-freezing temps.
After two days, more than 945,000 people in five states still don’t have power, including 820,000 in Michigan. As reported by FlightAware, over 6,000 domestic flights in the United States were either canceled or significantly delayed yesterday.
At the same time, other areas of the United States experienced unusually mild weather.
Historically, Washington, DC, had a peak not seen since 1874, with temperatures of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27C) on Thursday, February.
North Americans are baffled by the unusual winter conditions. Charlotte and Greensboro, located in North Carolina, also encountered record-high temperatures. Southern California, where it is typically balmy and bright all year round, is experiencing a chilly spell this winter and parts even lost power due to wind and snow.
Millions of people were given a “winter storm alert” and warned to prepare for subzero temps, hurricane-force gusts, and snow.
The Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted there has been no change in the forecast for the destructive winter storm. Moreover, blizzard conditions and feet of snow are expected in the foothills.
The last time a storm alert was issued for Los Angeles was in 1989, per the NWS.
Other places, including schools, companies, and even state governments, had to shut down due to the frigid weather.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Portland, Oregon received nearly 11 inches (28 centimeters) of snow overnight, making it the second snowiest day in the city’s history.
Despite only expecting a small sprinkling of snow, travelers faced significant delays due to slushy roadways.
Dylan Rivera, a Portland Bureau of Transportation spokesperson, said on Oregon Public Radio that even with advance notice, it would have been a historical occurrence. Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota activated the National Guard to rescue trapped drivers.
A volunteer fireman in Michigan was killed when he allegedly touched a fallen powerline caused by the storm.
Authorities in Oregon are looking into a fatality they believe was caused by cold because of the storm.
Strong gusts were also a problem in some areas of the United States, toppling a giant oak tree that “speared” into the living room of a house in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to local fire authorities, an infant in the home’s situation is critical.
The fire department in the Bay Area reported that they had received many reports about downed trees, obstructed houses, and downed power lines that had barred roadways.
After snow-covered sections of southern Ontario during Wednesday evening’s rush hour in Canada, ice particles and icy drizzle were predicted for the following day.