US IS STILL GRIPPED BY ARCTIC WEATHER
Much of the U.S. remained gripped by deadly Arctic weather Sunday — with subfreezing conditions reaching as far south as Texas and Florida. But the numbing cold is expected to ease up in the coming days.
Nationally, winter storms this month have claimed at least 67 lives around the U.S., many involving hypothermia or road accidents.
On Sunday, crews in Memphis, Tennessee continued to work around the clock to find and fix broken pipes that were causing low water pressure throughout the system. Some residents have been without running water for days, and all of the utility's 400,000 customers continued to be under a boil water notice.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen
said in a video posted to social media on Saturday evening that he hopes to have an estimate of when pressure will be restored on Sunday afternoon.
“Hang in there,” McGowen said. “Neighbors help neighbors.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the utility had repaired 36 broken water mains and more than 2,000 leaks in homes and businesses. As temperatures began to rise above freezing on Sunday, more leaks were expected to become apparent. McGowen asked residents to stop dripping faucets once things warmed up, a measure that would add 5 to 10 million gallons a day to the system and help restore water pressure.
Rhodes College, in Memphis, began sending residential students home on Saturday and moving those who could not return home to hotels. The school was planning virtual classes on Monday and Tuesday.
“We ask that you NOT come to campus either day due to the ongoing water situation and the hazards that creates,” the school announcement said.
Sam Roth is a junior majoring
in politics, philosophy and economics who drove back home to Nashville rather than staying in a hotel where he would still be required to boil water.