Heavy snow, strong winds and life-threatening chills expected
Good morning, readers! The country is currently bracing for a winter storm that is expected to affect about 60% of the US population.
Over 200 million people are under various winter weather alerts for what the National Weather Service has described as a “once in a generation type event”.
“The ongoing major winter storm will continue to produce areas of heavy snow, strong winds, and life-threatening wind chills through Saturday. If traveling for the holiday, please use extreme caution and pay attention,” the NWS said on Friday.
Christmas travel is expected to be significantly impacted, with more than 3,100 flights within, in or out of the country already being cancelled on Friday. Over 350,000 homes and businesses were without power Friday morning.
We will be bringing you the latest updates on the storm throughout the day so do follow along.
In the meantime, feel free to read up on Jon Henley’s reporting on the storm!
Key events
New York attorney general Letitia James issued a warning against price gouging during and in the aftermath of winter storm.
“New Yorkers should be on the lookout for fraudsters who may use this winter storm to take advantage of consumers,” said James in a press release issued on Friday.
“Charging excessive prices for essential products during emergencies is wrong, and it is illegal.”
She went on to advise consumers who plan to hire contractors to perform storm-related services to shop around and get at least three estimates, insist on a written contract, get references and avoid paying unreasonable advance sums.
Three people die on roads in Kentucky
Three people have died on the roads in Kentucky, governor Andy Beshear announced on Friday morning.
We have reports of a third fatality on our roads. Please stay home and stay safe.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 23, 2022
The governor added that the Kentucky National Guard is delivering blankets to the Kentucky state police to distribute to stranded drivers on Interstate 71.
“Other drivers are being transported by troopers to local shelters,” he added.
Video posted on Twitter on Friday shows massive waves crashing onto the shores of Portland, Maine amid the winter storm sweeping through the east coast.
“Erosion is possible along the coast with potential damage to roads on exposed low-lying shorelines,” said the office of Maine governor Janet Mills.
“High winds with gusts of up to 60 mph could damage trees, power lines, and property,” it added.
Wind chill warning in Texas
A wind chill warning has been put into effect across areas of south, central and south-east Texas starting from 6pm Thursday to Friday noon CST as the state braces through blistering winds.
To cope with the cold, Texas residents have been using fast food chain Whataburger cups to protect their faucets outside their homes.
New York declares state of emergency
New York governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency that went into effect on Friday at 6am ET.
“With Mother Nature throwing everything she has at us this weekend, I encourage New Yorkers who are considering traveling for the holidays to do so before Friday or after Sunday to stay safe,” she said.
Our agencies are well prepared, coordinated and ready to deploy assets and equipment if needed to respond to the storm. We want all New Yorkers to get where they need to go safely to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.”
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has been coordinating state agency responses across the state.
So far, DHSES has deployed 1,487 generators, 985 pumps, 528 chainsaws, 250 light towers, as well as cots, pillows, blankets, water and MREs (meals ready-to-eat), Hochul’s office announced.
Heavy snow, strong winds and life-threatening chills expected
Good morning, readers! The country is currently bracing for a winter storm that is expected to affect about 60% of the US population.
Over 200 million people are under various winter weather alerts for what the National Weather Service has described as a “once in a generation type event”.
“The ongoing major winter storm will continue to produce areas of heavy snow, strong winds, and life-threatening wind chills through Saturday. If traveling for the holiday, please use extreme caution and pay attention,” the NWS said on Friday.
Christmas travel is expected to be significantly impacted, with more than 3,100 flights within, in or out of the country already being cancelled on Friday. Over 350,000 homes and businesses were without power Friday morning.
We will be bringing you the latest updates on the storm throughout the day so do follow along.
In the meantime, feel free to read up on Jon Henley’s reporting on the storm!
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