Severe Weather Alerts
What were the casualties reported from the Kentucky flooding and elsewhere in the U.S.?
The severe flooding in Kentucky has resulted in multiple fatalities, including a mother and her 7-year-old child who were swept away by floodwaters. In total, at least 12 people have lost their lives due to this disaster. Beyond Kentucky, three additional deaths were reported across the U.S. including a man who was killed when a tree fell on his home, a driver in Philadelphia who was hit by a tree while in her car, and another man who was swept away by flood waters in West Virginia. This tragic situation continues to unfold as a winter storm approaches the region.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)What extreme weather conditions are currently affecting the US Midsection?
A polar vortex is currently gripping the Rockies and Northern Plains, bringing harsh cold to the US Midsection. The National Weather Service has issued life-threatening cold warnings as wind chills have plummeted to minus 51 degrees Celsius in North Dakota. This extreme cold front follows weekend storms that caused devastating floods in the eastern United States. The severe weather system is impacting at least 11 states, with additional concerns about avalanche risks in the Rocky Mountains as residents in affected areas are urged to take safety precautions.
Watch clip answer (00:17m)Which states are affected by flood warnings and winter weather advisories?
Flood warnings have been extended across most of Kentucky and portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, and Ohio, among others. These warnings come amid severe flooding that has caused significant damage and casualties in the region, with Kentucky being particularly hard hit. Meanwhile, Nebraska is under a winter weather advisory as part of a broader pattern of harsh winter conditions. The National Weather Service has also issued similar advisories for other states including Michigan, with a polar vortex bringing severe cold to the Rockies and Northern Plains regions.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)What is causing the extreme cold weather in the US this season?
The extreme cold in the US is being caused by the 10th and coldest polar vortex event of this season. Meteorologists have explained that this phenomenon occurs when weather forces in the Arctic push chilly air that normally remains near the North Pole southward into the United States and Europe. This displacement of Arctic air is creating unusually cold conditions across parts of the country, leading to severe temperature drops and dangerous wind chills in affected regions.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)What is the current situation with the flooding in Kentucky?
Kentucky is facing a devastating flood crisis with the death toll having risen to 12. The situation has become increasingly dire, with at least 1,000 people stranded by the rising waters, necessitating large-scale rescue operations. The severe flooding has created dangerous conditions across the state, leaving many residents isolated and in need of emergency assistance. Rescue teams have been working to evacuate those stranded by the floodwaters as part of the ongoing emergency response to this weather disaster.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)Where have avalanche warnings been issued across the United States?
Avalanche warnings have been issued across multiple regions of the United States due to severe winter weather conditions. In the Rocky Mountains, numerous areas are under high danger ratings, particularly in portions of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming where conditions are especially hazardous. Additionally, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center has issued a specific avalanche warning for areas of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. These widespread warnings indicate significant risk across both western and eastern mountain ranges as winter weather intensifies.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)