Blizzard of the Century: Monster Storm grips New Year Holidays, 70 Froze to Death
President Joe Biden declared an emergency in New York as major cities are hit by the monster storm. Over 20000 flights have been cancelled amid howling wind & sub-zero temperatures
- ‘Restaurants look like ice castles’,
- ‘The spaghetti froze solid in 2 minutes’,
- ‘A car slides down an icy street and collided with multiple vehicles’,
- ‘Snowdrifts reaching the height of SUVs’,
- ‘Boiling water instantly froze at -40 degrees Celsius’,
These are the results of a monster storm in the United States, the “blizzard of the century”. Parts of the US look straight out frozen. Unfortunately, a brutal winter storm has brought misery to millions of Americans during the holiday season. People were seen walking over the frozen reflecting pool on the national mall. The storm has claimed over 70 lives across the US and caused Christmas travel chaos. US President Joe Biden has declared an emergency in New York.
Rescue operation to dig out frozen bodies
Heavy snow swept through Buffalo and bodies were discovered inside vehicles and from under snow banks. More people are at risk as they are trapped inside their cars and homes without heating. In New York, Emergency officials went from car to car to search for more survivors and even dead bodies. Residents were urged to remain indoors. The roads were littered with cars, buses, ambulances and tow trucks. These are hindering efforts to clear snow-blanketed streets and reach stranded residents in need of medical care. Authorities deployed high-lift tractors as hospital transport.
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According to AFP, commuters and some residents fleeing their freezing homes as the temperatures plummeted became trapped on highways, unable to be rescued.
Thousands left stranded at the airports
As per flightware.com, More than 20000 flights have been cancelled amid howling wind and sub-zero temperatures. Millions of people were left stranded, and luggage was strewn on the edge amid the holiday season. Road ice and whiteout conditions led to the temporary closure of some of the nation’s busiest transport routes.
The weather system has been dubbed a “bomb cyclone”. A “bomb cyclone” is created when the atmospheric pressure drops quickly in a strong storm.
Hundreds of thousands are living without power and electricity. The storm was caused by arctic blasts and lake-effect snow caused by the cold air from Canada. Scientists say the climate change crisis may have contributed to the intensity.
