Mississippi: A powerful winter storm has left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity in parts of Mississippi and Tennessee as bitter cold temperatures continue to grip the southern United States.
The storm brought freezing rain, ice and strong winds that damaged power lines and toppled trees. Utility crews have been working around the clock, but progress has been slow because many roads remain icy and unsafe. In some areas, broken power poles and heavy ice on lines have delayed full restoration.
Officials say the storm has claimed dozens of lives across the country. Many of the deaths are linked to road accidents, exposure to extreme cold and carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe heating methods. In Mississippi and Tennessee, emergency teams have responded to hundreds of calls from residents who were stranded or without heat.
Local governments opened warming centers in schools, churches and community halls to help people stay safe. Health officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to use heaters and generators carefully. They also warned people not to use grills or charcoal indoors because of the risk of deadly fumes.
Weather experts said the cold wave is part of a larger Arctic system affecting wide areas of the United States, from the South to the Northeast. While temperatures are expected to slowly rise in some places, more winter weather could follow in the coming days.
Power companies said full restoration may take several more days in the hardest hit areas. Authorities continue to ask the public to check on elderly neighbors and those living alone, as the region faces ongoing cold and dangerous conditions.