More than 150,000 US homes without power after big freeze follows storm

Over 150,000 properties throughout the US are with out energy after a winter storm tore by means of the nation and was adopted by freezing temperatures that created icy situations.

By Saturday, over 100,000 properties had their energy restored after outages on Friday, although some states had been nonetheless experiencing service interruptions. The majority of the outages passed off in Tennessee, the place over 93,000 properties had been experiencing outages, in keeping with PowerOutage.us. One other 43,000 properties in New York and 30,000 in Ohio had been with out energy.

Memphis Mild, Gasoline and Water, a significant utility firm in Tennessee, stated that 95% of consumers ought to have their energy restored by Thursday subsequent week. The corporate stated on Twitter that crews are working arduous regardless of icy situations and particles.

Right here’s a take a look at the icy situations and particles #MLGW crews are coping with out within the subject. That is work that was achieved in South Memphis yesterday. #ServingYouIsWhatWeDopic.twitter.com/60kuNtciP6

— MLGW (@MLGW) February 5, 2022

The storm spanned 2,000 miles and dumped as much as 17in of snow on Friday and early Saturday from Indiana to Vermont, in keeping with the Nationwide Climate Service. Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, Michigan and Maine all noticed over 10in of snow.

Within the Northeast, arctic chilly purchased freezing temperatures that created slippery hazards on the highway. Massachusetts state police reported over 200 automotive crashes, together with one fatality, with many extra crashes that haven't but been recorded.

Our patrols have been responding to quite a few crashes and spin outs brought on by the flash freeze situations. Keep off the roads if attainable, and take it gradual if not. Right here’s an replace from the highway from Troop H Patrol Supervisor Sgt. Michael Murphy. pic.twitter.com/Z5sMXSXyq2

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 4, 2022

In Texas, roads remained icy on Saturday as water on the roadways froze in a single day. The state’s division of transportation warned drivers of refrozen slush and black ice on Saturday.

Whereas a winter storm final 12 months led to extended energy outages within the state, Texas’ energy grid, which is separated from the remainder of the nation, largely held up throughout the storm.

Over 3,800 flights had been cancelled on Friday due to the storm, with delays and cancellation persevering with into Saturday in some states.