Nearly 90 people have suffered weather-related fatalities linked to the past week’s arctic blast that brought extreme cold and heavy snowfall to several areas across the country, reports show.
According to a tally from CBS News, nearly 89 people have died from the dangerous cold and weather conditions.
In Tennessee, the state’s health department confirmed that 25 people lost their lives due to the weather, and in Oregon, 16 died, including three adults who had a tree fall on their car.
Several other states have confirmed weather-related fatalities, including Washington, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, New York, and more.
Others, like a person killed in a five-way car crash in Kentucky and four in Illinois, are still being investigated to confirm they were weather-related.
Tens of millions of Americans faced below-average temperatures, and even sub-zero, across the country on Saturday, but the weather isn’t taking a break.
The East Coast is expected to see some of the coldest weather this year, as wind chills will drop temperatures far below average, making it essential to be prepared for the cold weather.
The Southern Plains and the Mid-Mississippi Valley are also expected to see freezing rain and ice accumulation starting Sunday and going into Monday, according to the National Weather Service Prediction Center.
Last week, the National Weather Service issued a warning on avoiding frostbite, hypothermia, and other dangers that come with the cold.
The NWS says you can do a lot to prepare yourself if you’re expecting extreme cold, like avoiding being outside during the coldest parts of the day, having a backup plan if you’re traveling, and being prepared for the worst.
If you’re traveling, this means making sure your car has a full tank, or “at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded,” and having necessary supplies like jumper cables, blankets, a charged phone, flashlights, first aid kits, food, water and more.
“People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes. Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it,” the NWS says.
Some states have also issued warnings, especially those in the south, as driving conditions are expected to be dangerous with the presence of ice. Mississippi officials told residents to “be aware of black ice on the roads, and drive only if necessary.”
Luckily, the frigid temps aren’t expected to stay, as a warming pattern should move in across the country, resulting in a thaw that could see flooding in the Midwest and Northeast.