Record Cold Wave Continues in the US Winter... "At Least 20 Dead"

Over 20 Deaths in One Day Due to Cold Wave Accidents
Massive Power Outage...Millions of Households Lose Electricity Supply
Vaccine Supply Delays, Thousands of Flight Cancellations, School Closures

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A winter storm and cold wave that struck the central and southern United States have prompted cold wave warnings for 150 million residents across 25 states, resulting in at least 20 deaths and power outages affecting millions of households within a single day, causing significant damage.

According to foreign media on the 16th (local time), more than 20 deaths occurred during the day due to the winter storm. Most of the fatalities were attributed to hypothermia, traffic accidents on icy roads, and fires caused by excessive use of heating devices, all related to the cold wave.

Additionally, Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, recorded a record low temperature of -30 degrees Celsius, the lowest in 25 years, while Hibbing, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dropped to -39 degrees Celsius and -26 degrees Celsius respectively, continuing the record-breaking cold wave.

A U.S. National Weather Service official said in an interview with the Associated Press, "The winter storm has worsened at a very rapid pace," adding, "Especially during nighttime hours when people stay indoors, extreme cold is hitting hard, creating a dangerous situation."

Power outages caused by the cold wave are also worsening. In Texas alone, power supply was cut off to 2 million households, and outages occurred in Alabama and Oregon, causing significant inconvenience to over 500,000 residents. Texas and Minnesota have entered emergency rolling blackouts to cope with the surge in electricity demand due to the cold.

CenterPoint, one of the power suppliers in Texas, announced that the power outage in Houston, the state's largest city, could last for several more days.

The cold wave has also delayed COVID-19 vaccine supply and administration. A Texas health official stated that due to supply delays, at least 400,000 doses of vaccines would not arrive at vaccination sites until the following day. Furthermore, major vaccine distribution centers such as the FedEx logistics center in Memphis, Tennessee, and the UPS logistics center in Louisville, Kentucky, have both suspended operations due to the cold wave, disrupting vaccine distribution. Hospitals in Alabama have closed vaccination sites, and New Hampshire halted all vaccinations for the day.

Moreover, educational facilities across the United States are experiencing temporary paralysis. Alabama has suspended in-person classes at over 100 schools, and Chicago, Illinois, canceled all in-person classes at public schools.

Additionally, more than 2,700 flights nationwide were canceled on the same day. Texas, severely affected by the cold wave, accounted for over 1,500 canceled flights alone.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.