A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the US, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. At least ten people have lost their lives due to the extreme cold and harsh weather conditions, which are expected to persist for several days.
The storm system has brought freezing rain, sleet, and snow to over half of the country, causing widespread disruptions to daily life. Over 840,000 households are currently without power, mostly in the southern states where the storm intensified on Saturday. The PowerOutage.com tracking site shows that more than 300,000 residents in Tennessee alone are struggling without electricity.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings of treacherous conditions, with temperatures expected to plummet to record-breaking lows across much of North America. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, as the road network becomes increasingly hazardous due to the ice and snow.
In New York City, which is forecast to receive up to 12 inches of snow, flights were canceled en masse with nearly all taking off or landing on Sunday unable to operate safely. The city's mayor has also declared a state of emergency in response to the storm.
The US capital Washington woke up to a blanket of several inches of snow and heavy sleet, prompting preemptive closures of federal offices for Monday. Several major airports in the region have canceled flights until further notice.
Scientists say that climate change may be linked to an increase in such extreme weather events, although the debate remains contentious. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed skepticism about global warming, posting "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???" on his social media platform.
The storm's impact is being felt across the country, with temperatures expected to drop to extremes under -50F (-45C) in several states, where wind chill factors can cause frostbite within minutes.
The storm system has brought freezing rain, sleet, and snow to over half of the country, causing widespread disruptions to daily life. Over 840,000 households are currently without power, mostly in the southern states where the storm intensified on Saturday. The PowerOutage.com tracking site shows that more than 300,000 residents in Tennessee alone are struggling without electricity.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings of treacherous conditions, with temperatures expected to plummet to record-breaking lows across much of North America. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, as the road network becomes increasingly hazardous due to the ice and snow.
In New York City, which is forecast to receive up to 12 inches of snow, flights were canceled en masse with nearly all taking off or landing on Sunday unable to operate safely. The city's mayor has also declared a state of emergency in response to the storm.
The US capital Washington woke up to a blanket of several inches of snow and heavy sleet, prompting preemptive closures of federal offices for Monday. Several major airports in the region have canceled flights until further notice.
Scientists say that climate change may be linked to an increase in such extreme weather events, although the debate remains contentious. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed skepticism about global warming, posting "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???" on his social media platform.
The storm's impact is being felt across the country, with temperatures expected to drop to extremes under -50F (-45C) in several states, where wind chill factors can cause frostbite within minutes.
the government needs to step up their game here. we're already seeing more extreme weather because of climate change... it's not a debate anymore 
. the mayor in NYC declaring a state of emergency makes sense, but what about all the people who can't even get out of their houses? that's just basic human rights 
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Oh no, my heart goes out to all those affected by this brutal winter storm! 
10 lives lost already? That's just devastating. The thought of over 840,000 households without power is just too much... how are people supposed to cope with that? 
. We all need to take responsibility and work together to reduce our carbon footprint, whether it's through simple changes at home or by supporting policies that prioritize sustainability. Can we really afford to deny science when we're seeing this extreme weather pattern play out in real life? 
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. Ten people have lost their lives already? That's just devastating. And over 840,000 households are without power? I hope they get the help they need ASAP 
. The roads are super treacherous right now!
The politicians are all talking about climate change, but what about the immediate help for these families who need it now? We should be focusing on supporting them rather than debating about global warming 
It's devastating to think that people could've lost their lives due to a storm... our leaders really need to get their priorities straight 
... like, isn't it already known that climate change is causing more extreme weather events? And now we're hearing from "scientists" saying maybe, possibly, there might be some link 
... I need some actual research or data to back this up before I start accepting this as fact. Sources, anyone? 
... that's some good old-fashioned politics right there 
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. Can't we just focus on the storm for now instead of using it as a wedge issue? 
. And the power outage situation? 840k households without electricity? That's insane 
. I can only imagine how tough it must be for people living in those areas, especially the elderly and vulnerable ones 
. We all know climate change is real, but he just keeps stoking the fire 
. It's like, science isn't a suggestion, it's fact 
. I wish leaders would take this seriously and work towards solutions instead of denying or debating it 
. We need to start taking care of ourselves and each other during these extreme weather events 
. It's like they're stuck in this frozen nightmare 
. I hope the authorities can do something to get the power back on ASAP 
️. And wow, -50F? That's just crazy 
my heart is breakin' thinkin' about all those ppl losin their lives due to this crazy storm 
we gotta be more prepared for these kinds of events, makin sure our homes are safe & we got enough warm clothes & food on hand 
what's even worse is all this talkin' 'bout climate change... like, let's focus on helpin those who need it most instead of arguin' 
i'm no scientist, but it seems clear that climate change is having some major effects on our weather... still not sure if i buy into all the global warming drama though