Lingering cold puts millions in US south under harsh conditions
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Cars slowly navigate a snowy stretch of the I-240 in Memphis, as a winter storm gripped much of Tennessee on Jan 15.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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NEW YORK – Bitter cold gripped large parts of the United States’ south once again over the weekend, creating hazardous conditions for millions in a region not accustomed to freezing temperatures.
On the morning of Jan 20, it was minus 15 deg C in Louisville, Kentucky, minus 12 deg C in Nashville, Tennessee, minus 6.6 deg C in Little Rock, Arkansas, and minus 6.1 deg C in Atlanta, Georgia.
Several states were under wind-chill advisories and other freeze warnings as frigid temperatures were expected to continue into Jan 21.
The extreme cold, which followed days of sub-freezing temperatures earlier in the week, was not limited to the south, with single-digit temperatures reported from the northern plains to New England.
But for states that do not typically experience prolonged periods of ice and bitter wind chills, the past week has been particularly harsh.
In Tennessee, where severe winter weather began on Jan 14 and the cold snap has lingered for days, the health authorities have confirmed at least 19 weather-related deaths.
And problems at water utilities had the authorities advising thousands of residents to boil their water before drinking it.
Water issues also affected many parts of Arkansas, where the National Guard assisted communities in delivering potable water.
In the Nashville area, the heavy snowfall that fell this past week – as much as 20.3cm – had turned into thick sheets of ice on many streets and pavements by Jan 19.
Schools were closed for the entire week, and residents were encouraged to stay off the roads.
On the morning of Jan 20, Ms Beverly Burton, 64, walked several blocks to the grocery store for food, staying off slick pavements and walking in the street with a small cart. She was bundled in a long, tan coat, red hat, gloves and a plaid scarf.
“I’m ready for it to be over,” Ms Burton said.
Talking about winter storms, she added that “we get them, but we don’t get them like this”.
More than 700 residents sheltered at Nashville’s two homeless shelters, along with about 300 to 375 more at the city’s overflow shelter that opens during freezing temperatures.
Moises Mata spreads salt along a sidewalk amid a winter storm in Memphis, Tennessee, on Jan 15.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
One shelter, Room in the Inn, said some religious organisations that typically would transport people to the shelter had to cancel because of icy roads.
“It’s the snow and the ice that, in the south, it shuts us down,” said Room in the Inn director Rachel Hester.
“We become paralysed. We don’t have the infrastructure.” NYTIMES
