Twin Polar Waves Slam Central U.S.: 14 Dead, Millions Without Power
Key Takeaways
- Millions without power across central United States amid historic winter storm.
- Thousands of flights canceled as travel grid collapses under ice and snow.
- Storm extends from Texas to the Northeast with heavy snow and ice.
Historic Icy Catastrophe
Central and eastern U.S. endured two polar vortex strikes that pushed temperatures 20 to 40 degrees below normal.
The National Weather Service warned of historic, crippling ice accumulations.
At least 14 people died in storm-related incidents.
Heavy snow blocked I-70 in Missouri, stranding thousands.
Hundreds of vehicles collided in Michigan after ice caused multiple pileups.
Power Outages and Damage
More than 2.4 million customers lost power across seven states.
Mississippi faced an independent ice storm with 1.5 inches of ice.
The ice storm descended into a right-wing political conflict over response priorities.
Economic and Social Costs
The storms closed Chicago O'Hare for about 11 hours.
The cost of power outages was approaching $10 billion regionally.
Schools and government offices closed for multiple days.
Meteorologist Maue described the week as the worst in 40 years.
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