Washington, Jan 24, (dpa/GNA) – Numerous US states and the nation’s capital Washington have declared a state of emergency, ahead of the arrival of what could be one of the most severe winter storms in recent years, US media reported on Friday.
Accompanied by heavy snowfall and icy winds, the storm will spread over a distance of around 3,000 kilometres from New Mexico in the south-west to Maine in the north-east over the weekend, the weather service warned.
Airlines have already cancelled hundreds of flights as a precautionary measure, according to media reports. Many schools cancelled classes on Friday as a precaution.
There are also fears of widespread power outages, for example due to falling trees or because the above-ground power lines could snap under the weight of the ice.
Weather warnings or special advisories are in place for about 160 million people. Authorities called on people not to leave their homes if possible and to leave their cars at home.
In parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, temperatures could drop as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius, according to the weather service.
Across the country in New York state, Governor Kathy Hochul warned that the cold could be “absolutely deadly.”
The US capital Washington also declared a state of emergency due to the expected severe snowstorm over the weekend. The measure applies with immediate effect, said Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Snowfall in the city of around 700,000 residents is expected to begin on Saturday evening and continue into Sunday and possibly Monday. The National Guard has been asked to provide off-road vehicles to support the emergency services.
The mayor spoke of the heaviest snowfall in a long time, with freezing rain also likely on the roads. Bowser urged people to stay at home and keep torches ready for emergencies.
US President Donald Trump used the extreme cold to take another jab at climate experts.
“Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain — WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???” he wrote on Truth Social.
Climate change means that temperatures are increasing gradually on a long-term average.
According to experts, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is also increasing because of climate change, including storms and heavy rainfall.
GNA