Severe Weather Extremes Cripple the Nation
Extreme Cold Grips the North
Over 100 million Americans found themselves under weather alerts, watches, and warnings on Sunday as a frigid mass of cold air enveloped much of the northern tier of the nation. Temperatures plummeted, accompanied by bone-chilling wind chills, creating treacherous conditions outdoors.
In Chicago, the National Weather Service issued dire forecasts, predicting minimum wind chills between 10 below and 25 below zero Sunday night through Monday morning. Forecasters grimly warned that high temperatures between Tuesday and Thursday would struggle to climb above the freezing mark, trapping the city in an icy grip.
Devastating Storms Ravage the South
While the North shivered in the cold, the South endured an onslaught of severe thunderstorms, prompting water rescues and tornado warnings. As of Sunday morning, over 400,000 homes and businesses in Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana had been plunged into darkness due to power outages.
Kentucky bore the brunt of the deluge, with the Louisville area reeling under 3 to 6 inches of torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flooding. Louisville Metro Police dispatched river patrols and swift water rescue teams to assist overwhelmed fire departments, conducting nearly 30 water rescues with more expected.
Kentucky: Historic Flooding and Emergency Declaration
Governor Andy Beshear convened a press conference, describing the flooding in Kentucky as "historic" and revealing that over 300 roads had been closed statewide. He described a grim scene of mudslides in the eastern parts of the state and snow in the west, creating a treacherous mix of hazards.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Beshear announced that the White House had approved his request for an emergency disaster declaration, bringing federal aid to the struggling state.
Tennessee: Nursing Home Evacuated Amid Rising Waters
In neighboring Tennessee, Macon County Emergency Services reported that 52 residents of Palace Nursing Home in Red Boiling Springs had been safely evacuated as rising waters threatened their safety.
Midwest and East: Bitter Cold Takes Hold
As the storms subsided in the South, frigid temperatures settled over the Midwest and the East. The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening wind chills across the region, urging residents to exercise extreme caution when venturing outdoors.
Potential Snowstorm Threatens Widespread Disruption
The relentless weather onslaught did not end there. AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a major snowstorm could develop in the coming days, potentially causing widespread disruptions from the southern Plains to the Northeast. Washington, D.C., already battered by two significant snowstorms this season, could face another 4 to 8 inches of snowfall midweek. If the storm intensifies as forecast, AccuWeather warned that millions of Americans could experience the heaviest snowfall of the winter.
