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More than 1.6 million homes and businesses nationwide were without power on the morning of Christmas Eve, thanks to an Arctic blast and winter storm that tore down power lines with destructive winds and heavy snow and dipped temperatures dangerously low — conditions killing at least 15 people.
As bone-chilling air continues to grip the US this holiday weekend, the unrelenting storm is pummeling the Midwest and parts of the East with heavy snow, blizzard conditions and even flooding along the Northeast coast. No letup is in sight until the end of Christmas Day.
At least 15 people have died since Wednesday across four states, a result of how dangerous and life-threatening conditions have been this week over a large swath of the country.
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Three people have died in weather-related car crashes in Kansas, the Kansas Highway Patrol told CNN on Friday.
In Kansas City, Missouri, one person died after their vehicle slid off an icy road and into a frozen creek, first responders in Kansas City Police Department said.
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Four people died in car crashes in Ohio, where others also were injured, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
The Tennessee Department of Health on Friday confirmed one, storm-related fatality. Wisconsin State Patrol on Thursday reported one fatal crash due to winter weather.
Two people died Friday night in Erie County, New York, in separate incidents, when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies, County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Saturday morning during a press conference.
Kentucky reported three deaths caused by the storm: Two in car crashes and another was a person who was unhoused in Louisville, Gov. Andy Beshear said. The man's body was found outside with no obvious signs of trauma – an autopsy is required to determine the cause of death, police said.
'Your loved ones care more about having you alive'
For days, forecasters and officials have been sounding the alarm on the grim conditions the storm promised to bring, while imploring drivers to stay off the icy, snow-covered roads and other travelers to alter holiday plans for optimal safety.
"Remember your loved ones care more about having you alive and that next Christmas than whether you can make this one," Beshear told CNN Friday.
"People need to stay off the roads. … Being together is more important than ever, but staying safe is even more important than that," Beshear added.
The ominous warning comes as the storm continues to bear down with blizzard conditions from the Great Lakes and interior Northeast, bringing the double threat of heavy snow and speedy winds.
Hundreds of drivers across multiple states, including New York, South Dakota and Minnesota, were stranded this week and needed rescuing.
Some states have closed major highways to deter drivers from getting behind the wheel.
Plus, more than 5,000 flights were cancelled Friday, and more than 10,000 were delayed.
To make matters worse, even if snowfall stops or slows, whiteout conditions are likely because winds are forecast to near or surpass 60 mph, resulting in damage and more power outages.
"If you do lose power, it is going to be dangerously cold," said Jackie Bray, the commissioner of New York's Homeland Security and Emergency Services, adding people should seek warming shelters provided by some counties.
"Please don't assume that you can weather this cold overnight without heat. You may not be able to."
As of 7.50m ET (11.50pm AEDT), more than 1.6 million homes and businesses had no electricity service, according to PowerOutage.us, which means millions of residents likely do not have proper heating or hot water as extremely cold temperatures persist Saturday.
Source: 9News
