Millions of people in
the United States
are still affected by
two weeks of snow storms, cold
, rain and icy wind, causing deaths, flight cancellations, power outages, school closures and traffic accidents throughout the country.
According to reports,
some 89 people died in at least 13 states
due to the first winter wave of the year, which has brought the wind chill to sub-zero temperatures.
Tennessee
, which declared a state of emergency last Wednesday, accumulated the
highest number of victims, with 25
, since the winter system began to affect that state on January 14, according to data from the Department of Health cited by local media.
The deaths occurred due to hypothermia, traffic accidents on roads that are slippery after snowfall, and problems with the heating system.
Tennessee residents had to deal with an accumulated
22.8 centimeters of snow
and the state Office of Emergency Management warned on its website that many routes, especially secondary ones, remain affected as
there is still snow and extreme cold
and urged to drive carefully.
Deaths were also reported in
Oregon, with at least 16 victims
, including three adults who lost their lives Wednesday when a tree fell on their vehicle, according to CBS.
In that northwestern state, schools had to close, more than
45,000 people
were left
in the dark due to a blackout
, and the state of emergency also continues.
Other power outages were reported in Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico and Indiana, due to poor weather conditions that are expected to continue through early this week.
Deaths were also reported in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Kentucky and Wisconsin, among others, although some remain under investigation to confirm that they are related to the weather affecting the country.
According to the National Weather Service, a series of fronts and low pressure systems are expected to bring warmer air to the United States by the middle of next week.
The polar wave of the United States reached Texas and Florida
The arctic cold wave dominated the United States this Sunday and even reached
unforeseen states
such as
Texas and Florida.
Intense polar wave in the United States AP Photo
Crews worked around the clock this weekend to detect and repair burst pipes that had lowered water pressure in the city.
Some residents have gone
without water for days
, and the company's 400,000 customers have been asked to boil their water before using it.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water CEO Doug McGowen said in a video posted on social media Saturday that he hopes to have an estimate by Sunday afternoon of when water pressure will be restored.
“Hold on a little
,” McGowen declared, adding: “Neighbors help neighbors.”
By Saturday afternoon, the company had repaired 36 water fountains and more than 2,000 leaks in homes and businesses.
It is expected that when temperatures begin to rise, more breaks will become evident.
McGowen asked residents to turn off all faucets once temperatures rise, a move that would add 5 to 10 million gallons a day to the system and help restore pressure in pipes.
Bars and restaurants used
bottled water
to serve customers.
Some of them closed, while others changed the menu.
The frigid temperatures, which began on Friday, could ease slightly in the coming days.
For example, in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, values above zero are expected starting this Monday.
“With no more
Arctic air arriving from Canada
, warming is expected for the central United States,” the national weather agency said.
With information from EFE and AP.
D.S.