More snow and ice is expected to cover a good portion of the United States in what appears to be the storm of a century
The White House announced a federal emergency disaster declaration for Texas on Sunday that will help communities respond better to the extreme weather conditions that are currently plaguing a vast portion of the United States. The declaration provides federal assistance for 254 Texas counties that were blindsided by the harsh weather system despite early forecasted warnings.
The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center reports that seventy-three percent of the U.S. is currently blanketed in at least 6 inches of snow, breaking all records. The severe weather has caught many off guard, leaving over 3 million U.S. residents without power and many without water as of Tuesday.
Texas, Oregon, and Kentucky have been hit the hardest with power outages. However, Virginia, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Ohio are not far behind.
On Monday, a transformer failure in Jefferson Parish triggered a subsequent burst of electricity to flow downstream in the form of a massive electric fireball. A video capturing the action has triggered an online debate about what is really going on.
Twitter user @shitlordpleb Commented on the failing power grid, Tweeting in response: “And so it begins…”
The big question is: will the grids hold up?
The cold arctic blast has forced some Texans to retreat from their cold dark homes into their cars to stay warm. Withal, hospitals have seen a spike in carbon monoxide poisoning cases.
Harris County Judge Linda Hidalgo warned in A Tweet on Monday:
“It was awfully cold and of course getting colder, but honestly I slept in all my clothes, pretty much what I’m wearing right now I slept in,” Collin County resident Clint Cash told CBS Dallas Fort Worth. “I am taking it minute by minute, day by day. I don’t plan on driving.”
The weather is so cold that people are literally running their vehicles in their garages with no ventilation.
According to Newsweek, “In one incident on Tuesday, a woman and a child were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning while a man and a boy were rushed to a hospital for treatment.”
And if that’s not bad enough it has even been reported that residents are burning their furniture to stay warm.
Things appear to be so bad that the Center for Disease Control even issued a warning to “be prepared to stay safe and healthy in Winter” which lists several ways to prepare your home and vehicle for winter storms.
“Winter storms and cold temperatures can be dangerous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead,” the CDC warns. “Prepare your home and vehicles. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on older adults.”
The freezing temperatures have left at least 17 people dead.
Don’t be caught off-guard. Persevere and survive.
