Millions Without Power and Schools Shut Nationwide Due to Winter Storms in the US

A dual crisis of historic winter weather and massive public protests has left millions of Americans without electricity. These events have also forced school districts to shut down nationwide this week. A series of brutal storms, including a devastating bomb cyclone, has destroyed the power system across the Southeast and Midwest. At the height of the power outages, more than a million homes and businesses lost power as heavy ice accumulation snapped utility lines and toppled trees. In states like Mississippi and Tennessee, thousands of residents have faced freezing temperatures without heat for over two days. Meanwhile, utility crews struggle to reach damaged areas over ice-covered roads.

Comparable to The Great Blizzard of 1888, (often referred to as the strongest and worst snowstorm in the entire history of the US) this deadly snowstorm has taken the lives of several people. As of Monday evening, at least 20 deaths had been linked to the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, although in some cases officials said it was too early to determine the exact cause in some cases. Many people have chosen to stay home and take shelter, while those who are less fortunate are left to brave out the snowstorm of the decade.

As the crisis deepens, the scale of destruction from the bomb cyclone and subsequent Arctic blast has reached historic levels, with the death toll rising and social unrest spreading. The number of deaths from the freezing cold has now passed 150 people, according to The BBC News Channel. In big cities like New York and Buffalo, many people have died from the extreme cold, while others have been hurt by house fires and fumes from heaters used during the blackouts as withstanding the deadly cold and facing certain frostbite is not a valid option. In the South, the situation is desperate; heavy ice has broken so many power poles that thousands of families in Tennessee and Mississippi have been stuck without heat or lights for over a week. Even though repair crews are working hard, the frozen roads make it almost impossible for them to reach the broken lines.

At the same time, the country is facing huge protests that have shut down even more aspects of daily life. Thousands of students and workers have walked out of schools and jobs to protest government policies, calling for a “National Shutdown.”

This has forced schools in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago to stay closed even after the snow stopped falling. Between the icy weather and the massive crowds in the streets, many businesses have had to lock their doors. Whilst thousands of flights have been canceled, leaving travelers stranded at airports across the country.

Major colleges like the University of Mississippi have stopped all classes because their buildings have broken water pipes and no power. With more cold weather on the way, officials are worried that the power grid will stay broken for a long time, according to The New York Times. Families are being told to stay warm inside and to check on their neighbors.