THREE people have been found dead in New York City amid Winter Storm Fern – with the 2,000 “ice zone” smashing temperature records.
Over 230 million Americans are bracing for impact as the blistering weather lashes multiple states with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
The monster storm is already breaking records as it sends temperatures falling as low as -43 degrees with extreme cold warnings rolled out across the country.
As of Saturday afternoon, three people have been found dead on the streets in NYC as a result of the biting cold.
A 67-year-old man was found on a Manhattan sidewalk, before two other bodies – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – were discovered in Brooklyn.
At least 18 states have put themselves into a state of emergency to bolster any response efforts as officials expect damage like that seen from a hurricane.
Officials have said they expect Storm Fern to be a ‘once-in-a-generation’ event as it brings the worst cold weather front in over two decades.
Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled as a Storm Fern started to wreak havoc on Saturday across much of the country.
Power was knocked out and major roadways were snarled with dangerous ice.
As crews in some southern states began working to restore downed power lines, officials in some eastern states issued final warnings to residents.
Forecasters say the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival that of a hurricane.
Around 120,000 power outages were reported in the path of the winter storm, including about 50,000 each in Texas and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.
In Shelby County, Texas, near the Louisiana border, ice weighed down on pine trees and caused branches to snap, downing power lines.
About a third of the county’s 16,000 residents lost power on Saturday.
Bodies of three people found in NYC as temperatures plummet
Storm Fern has turned deadly with the first fatalities being reported from New York City.
The bodies of three people have been found on the streets of New York City.
A 67-year-old man was found on a sidewalk round 7:45 am on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, cops said.
Meanwhile two other bodies, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s were found separately in Brooklyn almost two hours later.
All three died as a result of “weather-related circumstances” sources familiar with the matter told NBC New York as temperatures went below freezing.
New Mexico declares emergency
Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham has declared a state of emergency in New Mexico ahead of freezing temperature and heavy snowfall.
Up to $200,000 have been put aside for emergency funds.
The executive order said the severe weather “will likely be of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and requires the resources of the State of New Mexico to minimize economic and physical harm”.
Up to one foot of snow is expected to fall in some areas of New Mexico – with power outages and shut down roads also anticipated.
Three cities bracing for the most snow
Boston, New York City and Oklahoma City are expected t be hit worst by Winter Storm Fern over the weekend.
Each city could see as much as 18 inches of snow.
Blankets of snow are already falling in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Minnesota as of Saturday afternoon.
Kentucky to see power outages and 15 inches of snow
Governor Andy Beshear says parts of Kentucky could see up to 15 inches of snow and power outages.
He said: “Kentucky, we’re looking at 36 straight hours of snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerous temperatures across the state.
“This storm is going to have a major impact on roadways, utilities and daily lives.”
The Governor added that his state had 43 warming centres prepared to house people from the cold, and that about 800 Kentucky Guard personnel were on standby.
Warming shelters open in Carolinas
North and South Carolina have opened warming shelters ahead of the winter storm.
Separate shelters for men and women have opened across several counties including Mecklenburg, Alexander, Anson, Ashe and Catawba.
Washington DC Mayor warns of ‘extreme cold’
Mayor Muriel Bowser said on X: “Snow is coming tonight in Washington, DC.
“We’re expecting at least 9″ of snow, followed by extreme cold weather through the end of next week.”
She added: “Our teams are working to keep residents safe, warm, and inside all weekend long—for neighbors in need of shelter, call: (202) 399-7093.”
Thousands of flights canceled
Over 10,000 flights have been canceled across the country due to the storm, according to data from FlightAware.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport were among the worst affected – both hubs for American Airlines which accounted for 20 per cent of the axed flights.
Ohio Governor declares emergency
Governor Mike DeWine said on X: “I’m proactively declaring a state of emergency in Ohio due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring to our state this weekend.
“I continue to encourage everyone to stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to be out.”
Storm Latest
A powerful winter storm swept into the United States on Saturday, blanketing Tennessee highways with snow, knocking out power to tens of thousands in Texas, and forcing millions of Americans to brace for brutal cold.
The system is expected to barrel across the country through the weekend and into next week, spreading snow from Oklahoma and Arkansas all the way to Maine.
Forecasters warned that freezing rain could coat large parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic in ice, raising the risk widespread power outages, and what the National Weather Service called potentially “catastrophic impacts.”
Ahead of the storm, frantic preparations rippled across nearly half the nation, with officials urging people to stay home and at least 18 states declaring emergencies.
Airlines canceled thousands of flights as the storm’s hazardous mix of heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold threatened travel nationwide.
By Sunday, the system is forecast to reach major East Coast cities, including New York and Washington, with conditions severe enough to shut down transit and strain power grids.
In some regions, salt shortages and unusually high demand are compounding road safety concerns, while utilities warn that outages could last for days.
As temperatures plunge well below normal, millions of Americans may be forced indoors, waiting out a storm that could linger long after the snow stops falling.
Power companies stage crews ahead of storm impacts
Power and natural gas companies across several states are warning customers to prepare for possible outages as the winter storm intensifies.
Dominion Energy said it is preparing for significant and widespread power outages in Virginia and North Carolina due to heavy ice and snow, noting that restoration could take days if outages occur.
National Grid said Massachusetts could be hit hard, with heavy snow potentially causing sagging power lines and falling tree limbs.
The utility is staging additional crews and positioning them in areas expected to be most severely affected.
Eversource, which serves Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire, said it is not expecting major impacts but has extra crews on standby.
Con Edison said it is mobilizing crews and coordinating with local emergency management agencies in New York City and surrounding areas.
Utility companies urged residents to stay away from downed power lines, fully charge devices ahead of the storm and stock up on supplies.
Customers with generators were also advised to connect and test them in advance.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15833724/winter-storm-fern-live-updates-travel-snow-ice/