Unprecedented winter storm pounds U.S.

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — Much of the United States was in the icy grip of an unprecedented winter storm Monday as frigid Arctic air sent temperatures plunging, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations, making driving hazardous and leaving millions without power.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the southern state, and the National Weather Service (NWS) said more than 150 million Americans were under winter weather advisories.

PowerOutage.US reported more than 2.7 million people were without power in Texas, where temperatures in the major metropolis of Houston dipped to 16 degrees Fahrenheit (minus nine Celsius), well below average February lows of 34.

“I urge all Texans to remain vigilant against the extremely harsh weather,” Abbott said in a statement.

The NWS described conditions as an “unprecedented and expansive area of hazardous winter weather” from coast-to-coast.

PowerOutage.US reported more than 2.7 million people were without power in Texas, where temperatures in the major metropolis of Houston dipped to 16 degrees Fahrenheit (minus nine Celsius), well below average February lows of 34.

“We woke up this morning, our pipes are all frozen and we have no water in the house,” Burke Nixon, a resident of Houston, told AFP.

President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Texas on Sunday providing federal assistance to supplement state relief efforts.

Texas is not used to such brutal winter weather, and the storm caused havoc in parts of the state, including a 100-car pile-up on Interstate 35 near Fort Worth last week that left at least six people dead.