Half of the US population, 150 million Americans, are now being warned of extreme cold. It is the coldest Christmas weekend in decades in the country at the same time as Christmas storm Elliot sweeps in.
The meteorologists call the phenomenon a “cyclone bomb” and the temperature can drop to minus 50 degrees in some places. According to CNN, traffic is hit hard ahead of the Christmas celebrations and late on Thursday over 2,000 flights had been cancelled.
– This is not a snowy day that you remember from when you were a child. This is serious, says President Joe Biden.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a state of emergency on Thursday as there is a widespread risk of power outages. People are at risk of dying in the super cold and some areas have therefore been given “disaster responsible” people.
Robert Oliver, disaster manager for a vulnerable area where the Rosebud Sioux people live in South Dakota, says there is a risk that many residents will be snowed in. He warns that it is difficult to reach victims with fuel and supplies. In previous winter storms, including one last week, five people have died.
We broadcast live about the development of events in the player above.