U.S. Winter Storms Claim 14 Lives As Arctic Air Brings Record Cold

Severe winter storms have caused at least 14 deaths across the central and eastern United States, officials confirmed on Monday. The storms brought freezing temperatures, strong winds, and dangerous floods, making rescue efforts challenging.

Kentucky has been the hardest-hit state, with Governor Andy Beshear announcing that the number of fatalities had risen to 12. “I’ve got more tough news. The death toll in Kentucky has now risen to 12,” Beshear said in a social media post. Many of the victims drowned after being trapped in their vehicles by fast-rising floodwaters. Among them were a mother and her child.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported one death in his state and warned that flooding remained a serious concern. “We have one confirmed fatality at this time,” Morrisey stated in a press briefing. He added that several people were still missing.

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Another person was killed in Atlanta, Georgia, when a large tree fell on a house early Sunday, according to fire official Scott Powell.

Freezing Temperatures and Warnings from Authorities

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that winter storms would continue to bring extreme cold to large parts of the country. Arctic air sweeping through Montana and North Dakota was expected to push wind chills down to -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 degrees Celsius).

In an advisory on Monday, the NWS stated, “A bitter cold arctic airmass is expected to continue impacting the north-central U.S. while also spreading further south and east over the next few days.”

The freezing conditions extended beyond the northern states, with the cold front affecting areas as far south as the Gulf Coast. Residents in these regions were advised to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel.

Thousands Rescued as Emergency Declared

Authorities in Kentucky declared a state of emergency as first responders worked to rescue stranded residents. Beshear said that more than 1,000 people had been rescued within 24 hours. He urged people to avoid driving on flooded or icy roads.

Power outages added to the difficulties caused by the winter storms. By Monday, power had been restored to many areas, but more than 50,000 homes in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland remained without electricity, according to monitoring website poweroutage.us.

More Severe Weather Expected

Meteorologists predict that the dangerous conditions caused by winter storms will persist for several days. Strong winds, freezing temperatures, and further snowfall are expected to impact travel and daily life across multiple states.

Authorities continue to warn residents to stay indoors and stay updated on weather alerts. With several people still missing in affected areas, emergency teams remain on high alert.