Storm wreaks havoc across the nation, crippling power grids and bringing roads to a standstill.
A monster storm continues its rampage across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and snarling roadways with treacherous ice. The National Weather Service has warned that nearly 180 million people, or more than half of the U.S. population, are under threat from widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
As of Sunday morning, over 700,000 power outages have been reported in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, according to data analysis by CBS News. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-positioned commodities, staff, and search and rescue teams in numerous states, with President Trump approving emergency declarations for at least a dozen states.
The Midwest is experiencing some of the most extreme weather conditions, with windchills as low as minus 40 Fahrenheit reported in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This has led to widespread frostbite risks, making it essential for residents to stay indoors and avoid travel.
In Shelby County, Texas, pine trees have been weighed down by ice, causing branches to snap and power lines to be severed. The local commissioner described the scene as "a lot to deal with right now." Similarly, in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, vehicles have collided with fallen trees, and crews are working to clear roads.
Emergency services in Louisville, Kentucky, have handled over 850 calls related to collisions, stranded motorists, and other emergencies due to exposure to cold. The actual number could be even higher, according to officials.
The storm is expected to bring record-breaking cold temperatures to the Northeast, with forecasters warning of extreme weather conditions that could rival those experienced during a hurricane. Weather experts attribute the storm's uniqueness to its vast spatial coverage and potential for prolonged extreme cold snaps.
As the nation grapples with this powerful winter storm, officials are urging residents to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prioritize their safety above all else.
A monster storm continues its rampage across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and snarling roadways with treacherous ice. The National Weather Service has warned that nearly 180 million people, or more than half of the U.S. population, are under threat from widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
As of Sunday morning, over 700,000 power outages have been reported in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, according to data analysis by CBS News. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-positioned commodities, staff, and search and rescue teams in numerous states, with President Trump approving emergency declarations for at least a dozen states.
The Midwest is experiencing some of the most extreme weather conditions, with windchills as low as minus 40 Fahrenheit reported in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This has led to widespread frostbite risks, making it essential for residents to stay indoors and avoid travel.
In Shelby County, Texas, pine trees have been weighed down by ice, causing branches to snap and power lines to be severed. The local commissioner described the scene as "a lot to deal with right now." Similarly, in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, vehicles have collided with fallen trees, and crews are working to clear roads.
Emergency services in Louisville, Kentucky, have handled over 850 calls related to collisions, stranded motorists, and other emergencies due to exposure to cold. The actual number could be even higher, according to officials.
The storm is expected to bring record-breaking cold temperatures to the Northeast, with forecasters warning of extreme weather conditions that could rival those experienced during a hurricane. Weather experts attribute the storm's uniqueness to its vast spatial coverage and potential for prolonged extreme cold snaps.
As the nation grapples with this powerful winter storm, officials are urging residents to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prioritize their safety above all else.