Emergency crews dispatched to ice-covered highways in Mississippi worked overnight and into Wednesday morning to clear stranded vehicles as the eastern U.S. faced an extended period of freezing cold. Governor Tate Reeves reported significant traffic disruptions on Interstate 55 and urged residents to stay off the roads. The Mississippi National Guard deployed soldiers with wreckers to assist in the recovery efforts.
Locals like Lacey Clancy in Red Banks, Mississippi, described the scene as highways resembling a 'parking lot,' filled with abandoned cars and trucks. Many motorists have run out of gas and left their vehicles behind.
As temperatures plummeted, local authorities called on residents to help. They requested all-terrain vehicles to transport essential supplies like food, water, and blankets to those affected. The winter storm has caused widespread power outages, leaving over 380,000 homes and businesses, primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee, without electricity.
Reports indicate that at least 50 deaths have been linked to the cold weather across several states. Heartbreaking incidents include the tragic loss of three young brothers in Texas who fell through a frozen pond. Hospitals have seen a rise in treatments for carbon monoxide poisoning as residents without power have resorted to dangerous heating alternatives.
Forecasts suggest that colder weather will extend through the weekend, potentially breaking records in some regions, with further snow expected in the Carolinas and parts of Virginia. The National Weather Service warns this could lead to one of the longest cold durations in decades.
