Polar Vortex Brings Life-Threatening Cold After Deadly U.S. Flooding/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful polar vortex is bringing life-threatening cold to the Rockies and northern Plains, with temperatures plummeting to -45°F in Montana and wind chills reaching -60°F. The Arctic blast follows a weekend of deadly flooding across the eastern U.S., which left at least 10 dead, including nine in Kentucky. Meanwhile, snowstorms, tornadoes, and avalanche warnings continue to impact multiple states.
Polar Vortex & Deadly Flooding: Quick Look
- Polar Vortex Impact: Extreme cold in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with wind chills as low as -60°F (-51°C).
- Deadly Flooding: At least 10 fatalities, including nine in Kentucky and one in Atlanta due to fallen trees.
- Kentucky Disaster Declaration: President Donald Trump approved FEMA aid after over 1,000 flood rescues.
- Severe Weather: Tornadoes in Alabama, power outages across the East Coast, and a levee failure in Tennessee prompting evacuations.
- Snow & Ice Danger: Michigan sees over 100 crashes, while Colorado reports eight traffic deaths due to icy conditions.
- Avalanche Warnings: High risk across the Rocky Mountains, especially in Utah, Colorado, and Washington.
Polar Vortex Brings Life-Threatening Cold After Deadly U.S. Flooding
Deep Look: Polar Vortex Brings Deadly Cold After Widespread Flooding
A brutal winter storm system is gripping the United States, bringing record-breaking cold to the Midwest and Rockies while parts of the East recover from deadly weekend flooding.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that wind chills in northeastern Montana could drop to -60°F (-51°C), making it the coldest polar vortex event this season.
Meanwhile, Kentucky remains in crisis after historic rainfall triggered deadly floods, forcing 1,000+ rescues and prompting a federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump.
Kentucky Flooding: Death Toll Rises to Nine
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed nine flood-related deaths, including a mother and her 7-year-old child who were swept away in Bonnieville.
“So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive,” Beshear urged, as rivers remain dangerously swollen.
Among the dead:
- A 73-year-old man in Clay County, found in floodwaters.
- Four victims in Hart County, where rescue teams continue to search for missing persons.
- Emergency crews are working to restore power as hospitals and roads remain flooded.
The Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson was forced to evacuate all patients after floodwaters overran its emergency department.
Flooding & Severe Weather Across the East Coast
- Virginia: Mudslides and high winds blocked roads, while police in Charlottesville struggled with an “overwhelming number of emergency calls.”
- Tennessee: A levee failure in Obion County led to mandatory evacuations in Rives, a town of 300.
- Alabama: An EF-1 tornado damaged mobile homes and power lines in Hale County.
Power outages stretched from New York to Georgia, with thousands of homes left in the dark.
Polar Vortex Freezes Midwest & Rockies
As the East deals with flooding, a polar vortex is unleashing extreme cold across the U.S.
- North Dakota: Wind chills of -50°F (-45.6°C) triggered an Extreme Cold Warning.
- Michigan: Over 100 car accidents reported around Detroit due to icy roads.
- Colorado: Eight traffic fatalities since Valentine’s Day due to hazardous conditions.
Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors as frostbite can set in within minutes in some areas.
Snowstorms and Avalanches Threaten Western States
The storm system is dumping heavy snow across the Rocky Mountains, raising avalanche risks in:
- Utah (highest danger level issued)
- Colorado (multiple highways closed)
- Washington state (heavy snowfall triggering evacuations)
In Colorado, three state troopers narrowly escaped death after their patrol cars were hit by sliding vehicles on icy roads.
Looking Ahead: More Cold & Storms Coming
The polar vortex is expected to continue through midweek, bringing:
- More snow & ice storms to the Midwest and Northeast.
- Arctic conditions in the Rockies & Great Plains.
- Potential new flood threats as warming later in the week could cause rapid snowmelt.
Officials urge residents to stay informed and prepare for ongoing extreme weather risks.
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