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East Coast Braces for “Bomb Cyclone” as Millions Endure Frigid Temperatures and Power Outages
NASHVILLE, TN – A massive winter storm system has placed approximately 240 million people across the East Coast under cold weather advisories and winter storm warnings. Forecasters are predicting howling winds, widespread flooding, and significant snowfall, with a “bomb cyclone” off the Southeast coast expected to bring blizzard-like conditions to parts of the region.
Temperatures have plummeted, exacerbating an already challenging situation for tens of thousands of homes and businesses still without power following last weekend’s snow and ice blast. That earlier storm snarled traffic, downed trees, and is linked to over 100 deaths. Early Saturday morning, West Virginia recorded a bone-chilling minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 33 degrees Celsius), according to Bob Oravec, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
The southern Appalachians, the Carolinas, and Georgia could see 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) of snow, with the Carolinas potentially experiencing blizzard conditions from the rapidly intensifying storm system. Oravec emphasized the dangers of prolonged outdoor exposure during these extreme cold advisories, especially for those still grappling with power outages.
Even coastal areas known for sunshine are preparing for heavy snow. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which features a sun, palm trees, and a seagull on its official seal, anticipates 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow. Mayor Mark Kruea stated the city lacks dedicated snow removal equipment and will be “using what we can find.”
Subfreezing temperatures are expected to persist into February, with parts of North Carolina potentially receiving up to a foot (30 centimeters) of snow. The frigid air is also projected to reach as far south as Florida.
In Nashville, Tennessee, where temperatures dipped into the teens, frustrations are mounting for residents who have been without electricity for a week. Terry Miles, a 59-year-old construction worker whose home has been dark since last Sunday, resorted to using a fish fryer for heat, expressing serious concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning.
“I’m taking a chance of killing myself and killing my wife, because – Why?” Miles questioned after a Nashville Electric Service news conference.
According to poweroutage.us, over 127,000 homes and businesses, primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee, remain without electricity. Nashville alone accounted for more than 47,000 of these outages as of Saturday morning.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed “strong concerns” to Nashville Electric Service leadership, demanding a clear timeline for power restoration and greater transparency regarding their efforts. The utility has defended its response, citing the unprecedented nature of last weekend’s storm.
Mississippi officials have called this the state’s worst winter storm since 1994, prompting the opening of approximately 80 warming centers and the deployment of National Guard troops for supply deliveries. Health experts are warning of increased risks of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly in the South where some residents may lack adequate warm clothing.
The death toll from Texas to New Jersey has surpassed 100, with roughly half occurring in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. While some deaths are attributed to hypothermia, others are suspected to be related to carbon monoxide exposure.
North Carolina has mobilized hundreds of National Guard soldiers and state workers to prepare roads. Residents in Wake Forest were seen filling propane tanks, with José Rosa remarking, “I’m here in this cold weather, and I don’t like it,” as he retrieved a 20-pound tank. Along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, communities like Rodanthe and Buxton are bracing for potential further collapses of unoccupied houses into the Atlantic Ocean.