U.S. snow storm: At least 30 deaths reported as thousands shiver without electricity

A massive winter storm continued to batter large parts of the United States, leaving at least 30 people dead and hundreds of thousands without electricity as another wave of freezing temperatures swept across the country.

The rising death toll includes people struck by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, teenagers killed in sledding accidents in Arkansas and Texas, and several deaths linked to extreme exposure. In New York City alone, eight people were found dead outdoors during the frigid conditions.

Deep snow, stretching in a 2,100-kilometre swath from Arkansas to New England, paralysed travel, cancelled thousands of flights and forced widespread school closures. The National Weather Service said areas north of Pittsburgh received up to 20 inches of snow, with wind chills plunging to minus 25°F (minus 31°C). Forecasters warned that a fresh surge of Arctic air would prolong the bitter cold across snow- and ice-covered regions, with another storm system possibly hitting parts of the East Coast later this week.

Power outages reported

More than 560,000 power outages were reported nationwide, most in the South, where freezing rain snapped tree limbs and power lines. Mississippi faced its worst ice storm since 1994, with major damage to homes, businesses and roads. Universities and schools in several states shut down, while New York City’s public school system shifted to online classes.

Air travel was heavily diStormsrupted, with over 12,000 flight delays or cancellations reported nationwide.