One Million Without Power, Ice and Snow Persist as Winter Storm Fern Slams US

Over one million people are out of power and cities are decked out in snow and ice after Winter Storm Fern swept across the Eastern United States.

The winter storm slammed 34 states with inclement weather, ranging from rain to snow and everything in between. In response, 24 states were forced to declare states of emergency, and major preparations were made ahead of the storm. Roads were salted, trucks were arranged into prime position for quick responses, and people initiated the felling of dead or risky trees ahead of the ice threat.

Fern proved to be a relatively unique storm compared to others– in addition to bringing 1-2 feet of snow to much of the Midwest and Northeast US, the storm brought significant ice totals to the Deep South.

Arctic air from Canada dipped into the south this week, allowing the rain to freeze into snow, but a strong warm front from the Gulf of Mexico pushed warmer air into the Deep South, specifically into Alabama and up through the Appalachian Mountains.

This led to thunderstorms and a significant tornado threat across much of the Deep South, especially along mountainous areas that typically see snowfall instead of rain, but the surrounding areas were also affected by this front of warm air. Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Georgia all experienced major ice totals due to freezing rain and sleet, with the frozen precipitation spreading as far as Texas and Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, Fern also dropped several inches of snow across much of the Midwest, with totals going much higher towards the north. Single-day records across the Ohio Valley were smashed by Fern, with multi-day totals in some areas reaching as high as 13 inches, with more on the way.

Multi-vehicle pileups have been reported in several states, including Louisiana and Missouri, and at least two people died in Louisiana due to hypothermia. Schools across the country are also closed on Monday due to the weather, and frigid temperatures across the next few days could prolong the life of the existing snow and ice on surfaces like roads and sidewalks.

In total, over 245 million people were affected by Winter Storm Fern, with around 11,600 flight cancellations and over one million power outages across the nation. Tennessee has been one of the hardest-hit, with over 250,000 outages, while Louisiana and Mississippi continue to suffer from serious ice accumulations and plummeting temperatures.

Crews are working their hardest to clear roads and restore power as soon as possible, but it could take days, if not weeks, to bring the situation back to normal. In the meantime, locals are being urged to stay indoors and avoid driving at all costs, particularly in icy areas where roadways are still extremely slippery.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Though most think it’s Italian, pepperoni is an American invention. The first use of the word dates back to 1919.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): People need to be cautious, because anything built by man can be destroyed by Mother Nature. (Russel Honore)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Resplendent (adj, rih-SPLEN-dunt) - Resplendent is a literary word used to describe someone or something as very bright and attractive.

In a Sentence: She looked resplendent in her green evening gown.

Image credit to the Columbus Dispatch