Polar storm hits America: 21 dead and power outages
The United States is experiencing one of the worst climate disasters in its modern history, as polar vortex life to a standstill across vast swaths of the country. This frigid wave has claimed the lives of at least 21 people, while more than 800,000 homes have been plunged into darkness as power grids collapsed under the weight of ice and snow.
The North is frozen and the South is paralyzed
According to the National Weather Service, residents of the Great Lakes region and the northern part of the country woke up to record-breaking low temperatures, plummeting to well below -20 degrees Celsius. States like Minnesota and Wisconsin recorded terrifying lows of -30 degrees Celsius. The worst is yet to come, with a new polar air mass expected to bring temperatures as low as -45 degrees Celsius to parts of the central region.
The suffering wasn't confined to the cold north; the devastating effects extended to the south. Heavy snowfall, exceeding 30 centimeters in some 20 states, caused widespread power outages. The specialized website PowerOutage reported that 820,000 customers were without electricity, with the worst damage concentrated in southern states like Tennessee (250,000 affected) and Mississippi (150,000 affected), where the heavy weight of the ice caused power lines to collapse.
Heavy human and material losses
The severe weather conditions have taken a heavy toll in lives, with authorities confirming 21 deaths in separate weather-related incidents. In Texas, a 16-year-old girl died in a skiing accident, while Louisiana saw deaths from hypothermia, and Iowa experienced fatal collisions.
In New York City, Mayor Zahran Mamdani announced a human tragedy in which five people were found dead in the open, noting that this event represents "a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of homeless people to the harshness of nature.".
What is a polar vortex? (Scientific context)
To understand what is happening, climate experts point to the phenomenon as being linked to the so-called "polar vortex," a vast area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth's poles. Normally, these powerful winds rotate counterclockwise, keeping the cold air trapped over the Arctic. However, when this vortex weakens or becomes disturbed—as is currently the case—the frigid air escapes and surges southward toward the Americas, creating extreme weather conditions in regions unaccustomed to such intense cold.
Economic impacts and a collapse in the transport sector
The storm's repercussions extended beyond the humanitarian aspect, striking at the heart of the economy and transportation. A state of emergency was declared in 20 states, in addition to Washington, D.C. Air traffic was almost completely paralyzed, with more than 19,000 flights canceled and thousands delayed, causing significant financial losses for airlines and disrupting supply chains at a critical time.
The southern states face a particular challenge, as their infrastructure lacks the necessary equipment to cope with freezing temperatures, making the restoration of electricity and road repairs a complex process that could take days, according to meteorologist Alison Santorelli.
Political and climate controversy
Amid this crisis, the political debate surrounding climate change has resurfaced. While scientists believe that global warming may contribute to a recurrence of polar vortex disturbances, President Donald Trump seized upon the event to cast doubt on the phenomenon of global warming via his "Truth Social" platform, sarcastically questioning where the "warming" is amidst this freezing cold, reflecting the ongoing division within the United States regarding how to address environmental issues.
