US states declare emergency as huge winter storm hits
A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas, Maryland and Missouri as a massive winter storm moves across the country, blanketing the region in snow, with temperatures going as low as -25C.
The usually warm states of Mississippi and Florida are also expecting heavy snowfall, with the disruptive winter storm bringing the possibility of the “heaviest snowfall in a decade”.
Forecasters predict the eastern two-thirds of the country will experience cold and wind chill on Monday, with several regions unaccustomed to severe cold or heavy snow likely to be impacted.
In Chicago, on Saturday temperatures went as low as -10C, while it hit -18 in Minneapolis and -25C in International Falls, Minnesota, on the Canadian border.
Cars wrecked and motorists stranded
Authorities report that at least 600 motorists were left stranded in Missouri over the weekend.
Hundreds of car accidents were reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky, where a state trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after his patrol car was hit.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who declared a state emergency, said government buildings would be closed Monday.
“We see far too many wrecks out there for people that do not have to be on the roads, so I want to ask: Stay inside,” Beshear said.
Virginia State Police reported at least 135 crashes as the storm entered the state Sunday. In Charleston, West Virginia, where several inches (centimeters) of snow had fallen by Sunday night, authorities urged motorists to stay home.
Forecasters have said the extreme weather is being caused by the polar vortex which usually circulates around the Arctic but occasionally breaks out and heads into the rest of the northern hemisphere.
Studies show the fast-warming Arctic gets some of the blame for the increase in polar vortex stretching or wandering.
Along with snow severe thunderstorms, with the possibility of tornadoes and hail have also been forecast.
There have been numerous reports of cars slipping off roads as the rain and freezing temperatures turn highways into ice sheets.
A fire truck, several tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles overturned in Kansas, with authorities urging people to stay off the roads.
Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner, who was responding to one of the crashes, posted a video on X of him skidding several feet on the frozen highway.
Starting on Monday the eastern two-thirds of the country will experience dangerous, bone-chilling cold and wind chills, forecasters said. Temperatures could be 7 to 14C below normal as the polar vortex stretches down from the high Arctic.
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know