Massive US snowstorm kills at least three people

The powerful storm comes as a shock as unpredictable weather caused by human-induced climate change increases. So far this year the mid-Atlantic has experienced an unusually warm and snow-free winter, with the nation’s capital has experienced a high of 66 degrees on Jan. 2, 2022.

Millions of Americans across the mid-Atlantic woke up to one of the biggest snowstorms in recent years on Monday as many were left in limbo after being forced to deal with the aftermath of vast power outages, Sputnik reported.

The snow fell quickly, accumulating to about a foot throughout Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey.

The storm also stretched toward northern Alabama, northern Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and even the Florida Panhandle.

The snow buildup comes as a particular shock to Birmingham, Alabama, which experienced New Year’s Day in 80-degree weather, and are now faced with temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit and strong wind gusts.

After heavy snowfall in Townsend, Tennessee, a tree collapsed on a rental home killing a 7-year-old girl who was in her bed.

A similar tragedy occurred in Decatur, Georgia, involving 5-year-old Zachariah Jackson who died when a tree fell on his home. Officials are speculating the tree in Decatur fell due to extremely wet and windy weather conditions.

The snowstorm will have an extensive negative impact, as nearly 1 million Americans are without power in the southeast and mid-Atlantic. Virginia has been hit particularly hard with over 400,000 currently without power.

Extreme and unpredictable weather has caused a combined 7,200 international and US flights to be grounded as of midday Monday and delayed another 10,158 flights.

The storm also caused some difficulty in travel for Air Force One and the presidential motorcade as they returned US President Joe Biden to the White House after a weekend in Delaware.

Virginia State Police reported some 82 car accidents by 8 a.m. Monday - that number climbed to 522 accidents and stranded vehicles by 12:30 p.m. To date, no injuries have been reported.

RHM/PR