While the freezing snowstorm in the USA caused a disaster especially in the city of Buffalo, New York, the number of deaths from the snowstorm increased to 63 across the country. Half of that number is from Buffalo.
The blizzard, which has affected a large part of the USA, continues.
In some regions with heavy snowfall, an emergency was declared and a driving ban was imposed. Power grid operators in some states have urged users to save money due to the capacity problem.
While the snow depth exceeded 1 meter, there were also looting events in a supermarket.
It was reported that the death toll in the snowstorm in Erie County rose from 13 to 27 in one day.
At least 63 people died in the states of Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
President Biden has approved federal aid to the state of New York due to the disaster in the city of Buffalo.
FLIGHTS CANCELED, LOGISTICS AND CRYPTO MINING AT STOPPING POINT
Southwest Airlines canceled 2,800 flights at San Francisco International Airport in California.
Delays were reported on more than 7,100 flights, departures and arrivals overall.
“The challenges are affecting our customers and employees in an unacceptably significant way,” Southwest said.
The Dallas-based airline said disruptions will continue this weekend as it enters the New Year holiday travel season.
While the logistics industry came to a standstill due to the unfavorable climate conditions, crypto mining was also affected by the large power cuts.
It was stated that more than 1.5 million houses and 150 thousand workplaces were left without electricity, while a substation was out of service.
As the adverse weather conditions coincided with the Christmas holiday and the weekend, companies traded in the US stock exchange were not negatively affected.
WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WILL BE SEEN ONCE IN A GENERATION
In the US, on December 21, national and local weather reporting agencies warned of “once-in-a-generation” severe cold and snow conditions.
The National Weather Service (NOAA) has announced that cold weather conditions that have not been experienced in the last 40 years are approaching in some parts of the country.
The weather service had pointed out that “heavy snowfall could make travel very difficult or impossible and could be life-threatening.”
In addition, it was shared that the storm that will occur with the effect of cold weather will be equivalent to the pressure of the 3rd category hurricane in the Great Lakes region of the country on the Canadian border.
Due to the storm, the ground floors of some hospitals and businesses on New Jersey’s coastline overlooking Manhattan were flooded by the overflowing Hudson River, while many vehicles exposed to the flood were damaged.
The coastal areas of Queens and Brooklyn were also damaged by rising ocean waters, while waves brought by high winds rendered some coastal streets and habitats unusable.
Photo: AP