US weather, temperature: Death toll climbs to 17 as deadly winter storm wreaks havoc

As many as 17 people have lost their lives due to the winter storm that has grappled the US. The temperature in the states has dropped to -45°C (-49°F). A weather warning or advisory is in effect for more than 200 million people or roughly 60 per cent of the US population, and the bitter cold is predicted to last through the Christmas holiday, according to reports.

As per the information shared by the Kansas Highway Patrol, three people died in different vehicle collisions that took place on Wednesday. Drivers of the vehicle lost control of their vehicles on icy roads as the storm started which caused the collision.

According to the National Weather Service, the temperature across the inland states has dropped to - 45.6°C (-50°F) in Montana, whereas the temperature has plunged to -38°C (-37°F) in Des Moines, making it possible to suffer frostbite in less than five minutes.


Parts of the Great Lakes area - which covers lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are expected to witness heavy snowfall and blizzard-like situations. Due to strong winds, at least 1.4 million homes and businesses had to run without electricity on Friday morning. However, the figure had decreased to roughly 550,000.



More than 5,000 flights into, within, and out of the US were canceled due to the snowstorm on Friday. There is a haste to open adequate emergency shelters for individuals who are homeless or have no power at home.

Apart from the US, Canada is also witnessing heavy snow storms which have also disrupted the schedule of hundreds of flights, and many have been canceled. A major roadway near London, Ontario, has been closed off due to reports of up to 100 automobiles involved in various collisions.

FAQs:

1. Why were flights in the US canceled?
   Flights in the US were canceled due to the heavy snowstorm.
2. How many people died in the snowstorm in the US?
   A total of 17 people died due to the winter storm that grappled the US.