US East Coast Braces for Blizzards as Winter Storm Death Toll Rises to 85
The United States East Coast is preparing for a fresh onslaught of snow and blizzard conditions this weekend, as the death toll from last week's devastating winter storm has climbed to at least 85 people across multiple states. The severe weather system, which has already caused widespread disruption and fatalities, is now moving towards the Atlantic seaboard, prompting emergency declarations and urgent preparations.
Emergency Declarations and Mounting Fatalities
According to an Associated Press tally, the frigid conditions and icy roads have led to numerous car crashes, cases of hypothermia, and other fatal incidents. The states of North Carolina and South Carolina have both declared states of emergency in anticipation of the incoming severe weather. Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina urged residents to "stay alert and take precautions" as another round of winter weather, potentially bringing significant snowfall, approaches the region.
The human cost of the extreme cold has been stark. In New York City, at least 10 people have been found dead outdoors, while Tennessee has reported 13 confirmed deaths and Louisiana has recorded nine fatalities. Officials warn that the risks are particularly acute for vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals.
Power Outages and Frustrated Residents
As of Saturday morning, more than 190,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity, primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee, according to data from the outage-tracking website poweroutage.us. In the Nashville area alone, over 54,000 customers were affected. The prolonged outages have led to growing frustration among residents.
Terry Miles, a 59-year-old construction worker from Nashville whose home has been without power since the previous weekend, expressed his desperation. He has resorted to using a fish fryer for heat, acknowledging the dangerous risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. "I'm taking a chance of killing myself and killing my wife, because – why?" Miles stated after attending a utility company news conference.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has voiced "strong concerns" with the leadership of Nashville Electric Service (NES), demanding greater transparency regarding restoration timelines and the deployment of repair crews. The utility has defended its response, citing the unprecedented nature of the storm that struck last weekend.
Unprecedented Weather and Scientific Context
This severe cold blast, originating from the Arctic, follows a major snowstorm that blanketed much of the United States the previous weekend. Meteorologists note that rising global temperatures may be weakening the polar vortex, the winds that typically contain cold air over the Arctic, causing it to spill further south more frequently. This phenomenon contributes to these extreme winter events in regions unaccustomed to such conditions.
Forecasters predict subfreezing weather will persist into February, with heavy snow expected in the Carolinas, Virginia, and north-east Georgia. Some areas of North Carolina could see up to a foot (30cm) of snow, while snowfall is also possible from Maryland to Maine. On Saturday night and early Sunday, wind and snow may combine to create blizzard conditions before the storm moves out to sea. The frigid temperatures are expected to reach as far south as Florida.
Regional Challenges and Responses
The storm has presented unique challenges across different states. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—a city whose official seal features sun, palm trees, and a seagull—authorities anticipated 6in (15cm) of snow. Mayor Mark Kruea admitted the city has no snow-removal equipment and plans to "use what we can find" to manage the situation.
In Mississippi, officials described the winter storm as the worst since 1994. Approximately 80 warming centres have been opened, and National Guard troops have been deployed to deliver supplies by truck and helicopter. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, hundreds of National Guard soldiers are on standby to assist, and state workers are preparing roads for the incoming weather.
Medical experts have issued warnings about the growing risks of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly in southern states where some residents may lack appropriate cold-weather clothing. Dr David Nestler, an emergency medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, highlighted these dangers.
Broader Impacts and Community Concerns
The reported deaths have occurred across a broad swath from Texas to New Jersey, with roughly half concentrated in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. While some fatalities are attributed directly to hypothermia, others are suspected to be related to carbon monoxide exposure from improvised heating methods. Officials have not released specific details for all cases.
In communities like Dare County, North Carolina, which encompasses much of the Outer Banks, residents face additional worries. There are concerns that unoccupied houses in areas like Rodanthe and Buxton could be vulnerable to collapse into the Atlantic Ocean due to the severe conditions.
As the East Coast braces for the next wave of winter weather, the combination of ongoing power outages, extreme cold, and anticipated snowfall continues to pose significant challenges for residents and authorities alike. The situation underscores the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events affecting regions across the United States.
