Snow derails Iowa caucus campaigning ahead of possible bomb cyclone
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Florida Governor and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis (centre) is guided to his vehicle by staff as he departs a campaign stop in Ankeny, Iowa.
PHOTO: AFP
DES MOINES - A powerful storm that could strengthen into a so-called bomb cyclone pummelled north and central parts of the United States on Jan 12, with heavy snow derailing campaigning for the important Iowa caucus.
Several inches of snow were set to accumulate in the midwest US state, where Republican presidential candidates are seeking support in Jan 15’s caucus vote – the first of the 2024 White House race.
“Travel may become impossible in rural areas by this afternoon. Hazardous travel to continue through Saturday across much of central Iowa,” the National Weather Service warned on Jan 12.
“Dangerous cold temperatures will accompany this storm, adding an extra layer of risk to travel.”
White House hopeful Ron DeSantis and his rival Nikki Haley both postponed multiple campaign events on Jan 12, according to their schedules.
The storm is forecast to become stronger, dumping snow across the Midwest and also threatening severe thunderstorms across the south, while CNN said an Arctic blast starting Jan 12 night in the northern Plains could bring temperatures as low as minus 34 deg C.
Chicago’s busy O’Hare international airport was closed from early morning on Jan 12 due to snow and ice, with hundreds of flights cancelled across the region.
The storm comes on the heels of severe cold weather that slammed much of the United States earlier in the week, causing several deaths and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. AFP
