US experiencing Arctic Storm, State Emergency declared

Extremely low temperatures could be fatal due to Arctic storms causing blinding snow, freezing rain, and whipping winds across the US. Governors from New York to Louisiana issued declarations of emergency, while the National Weather Service bureau in St. Louis issued a "life-threatening" cold alert.

Cloud Gate, Chicago, Covered in snow

Political Campaigns Affected by Difficult Conditions:

Iowa, hosting the first GOP caucus, faced a challenging campaign schedule due to extreme weather conditions. Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and former President Trump rearranged their calendars for Monday's presidential vote.

The NFL playoffs will have historically low temperatures:

Kansas City will experience record-low temperatures for the Chiefs' game against Miami in the NFL playoffs, with blankets and first-aid booths available. Buffalo fans will face up to a foot of snow and severe winds when the Bills travel to Pittsburgh.

_{A Kansas City Chiefs fan is covered in snow during the game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Dec. 15, 2019.PC: Fox News)} 

Nationwide Severe Weather Predictions:

-The US has 'every' state under an active National Weather Service watch, warning, or advisory. The NWS has also created a colour-coded map showing areas that are vulnerable. The National Weather Service predicts strong winds, blizzards, and snow for Friday, causing severe weather in the Midwest and Great Lakes. Cold weather is expected in the Plains and Rockies, while strong rains in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic pose flooding risks. 

-Over the weekend, several inches of snow are predicted for Chicago, along with wind gusts as high as 50 mph and lows as low as minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, which could result in frostbite in as little as 15 minutes.

-Bismarck, North Dakota, experienced a minus 11 temperature on Friday morning, with forecasters predicting temperatures to drop as low as 20 below F by early Sunday. In Kansas City, Missouri, freezing rain transformed into black ice, resulting in accidents and paralysis.

Flood risk in the Northeast:

Flooding was an issue in several Northeastern regions. The Passaic River began to breach its banks early on Friday, forcing some residents of Paterson, New Jersey, to leave their houses with the assistance of emergency personnel. In addition, fears of flooding were raised in Maine and current Hampshire by the current storm and another that had occurred earlier in the week.

EXTREME WEATHER This is Winter Harbor Maine. The tide is coming up into the town 🌊 #storm #winterstorm #flooding pic.twitter.com/jO8zla1KMZ— Wayne Bishko (@waynebishko) January 10, 2024

Video Source: X(@waynebishko)

Disasters Occur During Severe Weather:

In Lake Tahoe, California, an avalanche claimed the life of one guy, and in Idaho, a man went missing. An exposure fatality marked the first cold-related death of the season for a guy from Chicago; according to police, the individual's identity was suppressed. There were avalanche hazard alerts in effect throughout Idaho and the Sierra Nevada.

Transportation Issues for Migrants Emerge:

Advocates are worried about the increasing number of migrants being transported up to Chicago from the border between the United States and Mexico; since last year, over 26,000 have arrived. In order to avoid sleeping outside, many people were sleeping inside eight parked "warming buses" as of Friday while they waited for space in city-run shelters.

In Portland, Oregon, a weather emergency has been issued, and the county has opened homeless shelters. Numerous charitable groups and the county have donated hundreds of things, such as ponchos, gloves, and jackets.

Gov. Abbott's Reaction:

In a letter sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker begged him to avoid bringing migrants to Chicago during the hazardous weather. "At least pause these transports to save lives," the letter said. Abbott responded by saying that "until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border," he would not discontinue what he referred to as "voluntary" travel.

_{Source: X(@GovAbbott)}

South Carolina experienced strong storms with winds as high as 70 mph, causing states of emergency in Louisiana and Arkansas. New Orleans is expected to drop below freezing by next week, while Texas Governor Abbott warned of chilling temperatures as ice is expected to arrive on Monday.

Media sources: X, AP, The Guardian, Fox News

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