Dangerous US Winter Storm!
Washington/New York/Austin/Toronto, Jan 23 (EFE). –
A dangerous winter storm expected over the weekend threatens about half of the United States on Friday with heavy snowfall and temperatures well below freezing, prompting at least 14 states to declare a state of emergency.
The storm, which originated in the Rocky Mountains, will impact nearly 230 million people across almost 50 states as it moves through the South and Midwest, reaching the East Coast by Saturday or Sunday.
Meteorologists warned that heavy snowfall and low temperatures could cause power outages, falling trees, and the formation of “catastrophic” ice layers that will make roads particularly dangerous.
Empty supermarkets and canceled flights
New York, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington DC declared a state of emergency.
Temperatures of up to -32°C (-25°F) are expected in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, -28°C (-18°F) in Chicago, Illinois, and -24°C (-11°F) in Cleveland, Ohio. On Saturday, New York could reach -14°C (6.8°F) and Washington DC, -11°C (12°F).
The polar cold will also affect neighboring Canada, where authorities warn that the wind chill could drop to -50 °C (-58°F), which can cause skin frostbite in a matter of minutes.
US airlines have canceled nearly 2,000 flights scheduled for Saturday, according to records from the FlightAware website.
Images posted on social media show long lines at supermarkets in several states and empty shelves as people rush to stock up on supplies such as bottled water, canned food, and toilet paper ahead of the weekend. EFE
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