In brief
A major winter storm has caused widespread power outages across Mississippi and Tennessee, with authorities conducting welfare checks and using unconventional means to transport patients. As subzero temperatures persist, communities struggle to cope, leading to heightened fears for the vulnerable.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A historic winter storm has swept through the Southern United States, with Mississippi and Tennessee being among the hardest-hit states. Local dispatchers are overwhelmed with calls for medication and oxygen as many residents find themselves trapped at home without power. The storm has necessitated welfare checks by troopers in Tennessee and the use of firefighting trucks to transport patients in rural areas.
As temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing in the coming days, the situation poses a severe threat to the elderly and those with medical conditions without access to electricity or heat. Nancy Dillon, an 87-year-old from Nashville, relied on her fireplace for warmth for three days before power was restored, expressing her fears about falling and being unable to access help.
Officials in Mississippi reported that approximately 298,000 properties remain without power, with around 135 snowplows deployed and National Guard troops sent to assist. Hal Ferrell, the mayor of Batesville, reported that the entire city was without power, and the 60 warming centers opened across the state were insufficient to accommodate the needs of its 7,500 residents.
At least 70 fatalities have been reported in the U.S. due to the extreme cold. Emergency management directors in affected regions have described the dire conditions of those struggling to stay warm without adequate heat supplies. Utility workers have indicated that restoring power may take several days, as hazardous road conditions complicate recovery efforts.
Throughout this challenging time, communities are banding together, but the persistent, subfreezing temperatures and potential for more snow continue to heighten concerns. As many residents find themselves without basic resources, there remains urgency for assistance and recovery from this unprecedented weather event.
