Scenes from the Ohio Turnpike pileup on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of four people.Photo: Twitter / @OSHP_NWOhio
A “once-in-a-generation storm” moving across the United States has created dangerous conditions for millions, and at least 26 people have died.
As of Christmas morning, CNN has reported thatat least 26 people diedacross seven states since Wednesday and that more than1.6 million homes and businesses across the country had lost powerdue to stormy conditions.
Firefighters with the Detroit Fire Department on Friday.Matthew Hatcher/Getty
“This is a stark reminder of what can happen when you get behind the wheel and try to drive in bad weather conditions,” Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan Purpura said in avideo update shared to Twitterfollowing the pileup on the Ohio Turnpike.
“High winds are still remaining and white-out conditions are still persistent,” Purpura added. “We ask that you do not travel unless you absolutely have to. If you do have to travel, we ask that you take precautions, take it slow, be patient, wear your seatbelt and increase your following distance.”
Pileup on Ohio Turnpike.Twitter / @OSHP_NWOhio
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear also reported three deaths related to stormy conditions at the start of the holiday weekend. Two people were reported to have died in car crashes while an unhoused man was found dead outside as temperaturesdipped as low at -5 degrees Fahrenheitin Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, according to CNN and the National Weather Service.
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Another seven storm-related deaths have been reported out of Erie County, New York, according to CNN, where around 500 motorists ended up trapped in their vehicles on Friday night, despite a county-wide driving ban put in place for the storm.
“I do know thatsome were found in carsand some were found actually on the street in snow banks,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said as he announced four of the deaths on Sunday morning, noting that National Guard troops were called in to"rescue people that are stuck in vehicles."
Snow.Abbie Parr/AP/Shutterstock
On Thursday, more than110 million people— a third of the U.S. population — were underwinter-weather alerts that stretched across 37 states, according to CNN, which also noted that parts of the Midwest and Plains are set to have theircoldest Christmas in 40 years.
Those regions will also experience “near-zero visibility and considerable blowing and drifting of snow,” according to the National Weather Service. “This will lead to dangerous, to at times impossible, land and air travel leading up to the holiday weekend.”
“I encourage everyone, everyone to please heed the local warnings,” PresidentJoe Bidensaid Thursday,according to CNBC.
“This is not like a snow day when you were a kid,” the president added, pleading with travelers to leave early if possible and to stay safe. “This is serious stuff.”
source: people.com
