Millions are still without power as winter storms continue
[CNN]
What you need to know now
- Winter weather is continuing to wreak havoc across the US, with forecasts predicting more ice and low temperatures ahead in the most-affected states. Winter weather alerts extend from Texas to New England.
- About 2.8 million customers in Texas are without power, and local officials and residents are furious over the outages.
- You can track the snow and ice here.
What to expect from the next major winter storm to grip the US
Another “major winter storm” will grip parts of Central US starting today, an area already hard-hit by freezing temperatures and ice earlier this week, according to the National Weather Service.
More than four inches of snow is possible in parts of Oklahoma, and freezing rain is likely from Texas to Tennessee, the service said.
This storm will extend into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with more than eight inches of snow possible in parts of Pennsylvania.
US government expects “widespread delays” in Covid-19 vaccine shipments due to severe weather
From CNN’s Jamie Gumbrecht
Severe weather around the United States is expected to lead to widespread delays in Covid-19 vaccine shipments and deliveries in the coming days, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
“Due to the severe winter weather currently impacting a large swath of the country, the U.S. government is projecting widespread delays in COVID-19 vaccine shipments and deliveries over the next few days,” CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund said in a statement.
“Shipping partners are working to deliver vaccine where possible, contingent on local conditions, but the adverse weather is expected to continue to impact shipments out of the FedEx facility in Memphis, Tenn., as well as the UPS facility in Louisville, Ken., which serve as vaccine shipping hubs for multiple states,” the statement continued.
“CDC and federal partners are working closely with the jurisdictions, as well as manufacturing and shipping partners, to assess weather conditions and help mitigate potential delivery delays and cancellations.”8:34 a.m. ET, February 17, 2021
At least 26 people have died as a result of the winter storm
From CNN’s Madeline HolcombeAs millions of people across the United States continue to weather a deadly winter storm without power, forecasts predict ice and low temperatures could be ahead for some of the worst-hit states.
This comes as states with typically mild winters — including Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kentucky — are already facing hazardous roads, power outages and water shut offs from the winter storms.
The weather has led to at least 26 deaths, including three people who died in carbon monoxide related incidents and one driver who hit a snowplow.
The current round of winter weather is underway in the southern Plains, and will continue to develop as it pushes winter weather into the Northeast.Then the warming trend will begin in Texas this weekend, and moderate for the rest of the regions that have been impacted by the frigid temperatures, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said.
More ice is possible in Texas, where millions are still without power from the last winter storm
From CNN’s Madeline HolcombeAs millions of people across the United States continue to weather a deadly winter storm without power, forecasts predict ice and low temperatures could be ahead for some of the worst-hit states.
“Swaths of half an inch of ice will be possible” over the next three days for areas from Texas to Mississippi and up through Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. “All severe weather hazards will be possible including a couple of tornadoes” from the Florida Panhandle to the coastal Carolinas Thursday, NWS said.
This comes as states with typically mild winters — including Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kentucky — are already facing hazardous roads, power outages and water shut offs from the winter storms. The weather has led to at least 26 deaths, including three people who died in carbon monoxide related incidents and one driver who hit a snowplow.The current round of winter weather is underway in the southern Plains, and will continue to develop as it pushes winter weather into the Northeast. Then the warming trend will begin in Texas this weekend, and moderate for the rest of the regions that have been impacted by the frigid temperatures, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said.Many of those who will face the harsh temperatures are among the nearly 3.5 million customers who are still in the dark, according to PowerOutage.US.
By Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya, Judson Jones and Mike Hayes