A powerful winter storm wreaked havoc across the northern United States on Friday, causing widespread disruptions with blinding snow, freezing rain, whipping winds, and bitter cold temperatures.
The extreme weather conditions resulted in the cancellation of at least 1,000 flights and led to perilous situations in various states.
The severe weather claimed at least one life, suspected to be a man who was believed to have perished in an avalanche in the Idaho backcountry. Heavy snowfall and strong winds created treacherous driving conditions in parts of Iowa, prompting Republican presidential hopefuls to cancel campaign events.
In Kansas City, Missouri, freezing rain led to the formation of “black ice,” bringing the city to a standstill.
In Idaho, an avalanche posed a significant threat, trapping two men near the Montana border on Thursday afternoon.
While rescue efforts successfully saved two individuals, a third man remained missing and was presumed dead.
The US Air Force played a role in the search and rescue operations.
Authorities were uncertain about the nature of the activities the men were engaged in, especially considering the area had been under an avalanche danger warning for several days.
This incident in Idaho occurred just a day after the first avalanche-related death of the US winter season was reported in California on Wednesday. As the winter storm continues to impact various regions, residents and authorities remain on high alert, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness in the face of extreme weather conditions.
