The latest toll brings the death toll from the winter storm to 50, and the number is expected to continue to rise in the coming days.
The highest number of deaths have been reported in New York State, where at least 27 people have been killed by the polar cold snap from Canada. Another 14 have died in Buffalo.
The scope of the storm is unprecedented, affecting parts of the Midwest and eastern United States for the past six days, CBS reports. The storm has caused power outages, canceled flights and made roads and highways hazardous.
Millions of people have taken shelter from the frost during the night and early morning, however, the storm has trapped some residents inside their homes due to snow accumulations. It has also left thousands of citizens without electricity.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said it is the «most devastating» storm in Buffalo’s history, with nearly 100 centimeters of snow falling.
«I can’t overstate how dangerous conditions remain,» Hochul said, urging residents to stay off the roads for Christmas.
Although weather conditions have improved during the day, more than 55 million people are under a low temperature alert, making it the coldest December 25 since 1983 for cities such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach.
In addition, more than 3,000 flights have been cancelled on Christmas Eve, while 2,000 flights have been cancelled this December 25.
Approximately 60 percent of the U.S. population has received some type of weather alert over the weekend.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
