The winter storm in the United States has already claimed 63 lives

The severe winter storm that has been afflicting the United States for days has already become one of the most terrible in the country’s history, killing at least 63 people until this Tuesday.

This was confirmed by the US authorities, who specified that these are victims who died in more than eight states affected by the extreme cold that is affecting them and by the complications caused by the accumulation of snow and ice in different areas.

In this sense, they remarked that there is a county of New York that he represents almost half of the number of dead. Regard eriewhere they were counted 33 lifeless bodies. Most of them -27- were found in the city of Buffalo, where extreme measures such as driving bans have been taken to avoid more fatal consequences.

Regarding the current situation, Mayor Byron Brown admitted in a dialogue with local media: “The storm is probably worse than anything this city has seen in more than 50 years.”

He added: “We need people to continue to be patient, stay off the roads today and as soon as possible we will lift the driving ban in the city.”

The extreme weather conditions, which caused hours-long blackouts, killed dozens of people who were trapped in vehicles – due to the amount of snow accumulated on the road – and under snowdrifts.

For this reason, the operation carried out to rescue the victims consists in the search for emergency personnel “vehicle by vehicle” to find survivors.

Buffalo Public Works Commissioner Nathan Marton said, “We’re still finding a lot of people outside and we’re just getting in the way of our first responders. The department is trying to clear at least one lane for emergency vehicles.”

Severe snowstorms lashing much of the United States are coupled with hurricane-force winds and freezing temperatures that have forced the cancellation of more than 15,000 flights in recent days, including nearly 4,000 on Monday.

Even the cold has set records in Miami, where the temperatures of these days in the most touristic city in Florida, the state of sun, sea and beaches, have proved to be the coldest in a long time: with minimums of 6 degrees and maximums by 11 and even surprise sleet in some northern counties like Brevard.

There was a record in both that city and Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. With 11 and 10 degrees it was the coldest Christmas since 1983. Strange phenomena were seen such as paralyzed iguanas falling from the trees.

In addition, freezing temperatures were recorded over the weekend in 48 US states, including communities in Texas along the Mexican border, where some recently arrived migrants have struggled to find shelter.

When does the weather improve in the country?

“Temperatures are expected to moderate in the Midwest and East in the coming days,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said today in its latest report, although it warned that “locally dangerous travel conditions” will persist and that there could be gusts of wind, further compromising visibility.

He added that “the snow will pile up so fast that it will be extremely difficult for roadside personnel to keep it clear.”

Due to the particular situation, President Joe Biden declared an emergency for the entire state of New York and offered “the strength of the federal government” to support the relief effort. In addition, he said he will send federal aid through a package that will help deal with the aftermath of the storm.

State Governor Kathy Hochul said, “It’s too soon to say it’s over. It’s clearly the blizzard of the century.”

With information from agencies

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