Winter Storm Leaves 5 Dead, Thousands Without Power in US

The first major winter storm of the year in the United States has resulted in the deaths of five people and left thousands of homes without electricity. Additionally, the storm caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the country.

The storm originated as a low-pressure system in the Rocky Mountains and quickly intensified, spreading snow and ice across a vast area, eventually reaching the East Coast.

In Missouri, snowfall reached over 36 centimeters in Kansas City, marking the highest recorded snow level in the region since 1993. Parts of Kansas experienced extreme wind chills, with temperatures plunging between -15°C and -32°C, severely disrupting daily life.

The nation's capital, Washington, D.C., reported 12.7 centimeters of snow, while some areas in Maryland and Virginia saw snowfall of up to 12 inches.

According to the U.S. news outlet Alhurra, over 189,000 homes and businesses across the central and southern United States experienced power outages. Meanwhile, nearly 1,900 domestic and international flights were canceled due to the severe weather.

Meteorologists forecast freezing temperatures to persist throughout the week, potentially worsening conditions in affected states.