A winter storm wreaked havoc across the United States on Friday, causing multiple fatalities and injuries as severe weather warnings were issued to millions of people. The storm brought extreme Arctic conditions to various regions, including thunderstorms in the South, freezing temperatures and blizzard warnings in the Midwest, and heavy rainfall in the East.
In Idaho, two men were rescued from an avalanche, but unfortunately, a third body was found and identified near Stevens Peak in Shoshone County. The deceased was identified as Corey Zalewski, a graduate from Whitworth College. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, a man died while snowplowing his driveway, and a man in Chicago passed away due to cold exposure.
The winter storm also led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays, affecting airports from New York to Seattle. Alaska Airlines extended its flight cancellations of Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights after a door plug detached midair during a flight out of Portland, Oregon.
As the storm continued into Saturday, high winds left tens of thousands without power. We Energies, which services Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, reported that nearly 90,000 customers were still without service as of Saturday afternoon.
The winter storm’s impact was widespread, causing disruptions and tragic accidents across the affected regions. The severe weather served as a reminder of the dangers and challenges that come with the winter season, prompting officials to urge caution and preparedness for future storms.