The National Weather Service has issued a warning about life-threatening cold temperatures expected to continue through Tuesday. Northeastern Montana could see temperatures as low as -45°F, with wind chills reaching -60°F. This extreme cold is due to a polar vortex bringing icy Arctic air into the U.S. and Europe.
Several states are bracing for what could be the coldest polar vortex event this season. North Dakota is under an extreme cold warning, with wind chills possibly dropping to -50°F. South Dakota and Minnesota are also facing dangerously low temperatures.
The harsh weather follows a series of powerful winter storms that hit the eastern U.S. over the weekend. At least 10 people lost their lives, including nine in Kentucky, due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The freezing conditions are making travel dangerous, especially in Michigan, where snow and ice have led to over 100 vehicle crashes. Fortunately, most of these accidents resulted in no serious injuries.
Colorado authorities reported eight fatal crashes since Valentine’s Day due to icy roads. Additionally, three state patrol vehicles were hit while pulled over, but no officers were injured. Avalanche warnings have also been issued from Washington to Colorado, with Utah facing the highest risk.
Kentucky and Tennessee have been dealing with major flooding after receiving up to six inches of rain. The floods have left thousands stranded, and emergency crews have been evacuating people from affected areas. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that most of the fatalities occurred when vehicles became trapped in rising floodwaters. He urged residents to stay off the roads to prevent further tragedy.
President Donald Trump approved Kentucky’s request for federal disaster relief, allowing FEMA to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. The National Weather Service also confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Alabama, which damaged homes and knocked down trees but caused no reported injuries. Meanwhile, a levee failure in Obion County, Tennessee, forced mandatory evacuations due to rising water and freezing temperatures.
The severe weather has caused additional damage in multiple states. In Georgia, a person was killed when a tree fell on a home. Virginia saw mudslides and downed trees, leading to traffic disruptions. Power outages have been reported from Georgia to New York, leaving thousands in the dark. In Kentucky, floodwaters forced a hospital to shut down its emergency department and relocate patients to safer facilities.
As recovery efforts continue, Americans are bracing for more severe weather in the days ahead.
