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Historic Storm Surge Hits Maine

Coastal communities in Maine have been hit by a historic storm surge caused by a vicious storm. Water levels on Maine’s coast reached a record-breaking high on Saturday, resulting in dangerous flooding. Flash flood warnings were issued by the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, as the strong winds of the storm pushed water from the Atlantic Ocean towards the shore. The water level in Portland even surpassed the previous record set in 1978. Coastal flooding was also reported in several other states. Coastal flood alerts are still in effect.

Buffalo Bills Playoff Game Postponed

The scheduled game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed due to the dangerous conditions caused by the storm. Heavy lake-effect snow is expected in Buffalo due to strong winds blowing across Lake Erie. A state of emergency has been declared in Erie County, New York, which includes Buffalo. A travel ban is also in effect to help clear the roads from the intense snowfall. The game has been rescheduled to Monday.

Widespread Power Outages

Intense winds, severe thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall have caused widespread power outages in several states. Oregon has more than 200,000 customers without power, while Michigan and Wisconsin have over 123,000 and 67,000 customers affected, respectively.

Iowa: Epicenter for Blizzard Conditions and Cold

Iowa is currently experiencing blizzard conditions and extremely cold temperatures. The state has seen the snowiest week since 1942, with wind gusts of over 40 mph. The Iowa State Patrol has responded to numerous motorist assist calls and crashes. Bone-chilling cold is expected to continue, with wind chills as low as minus 45 degrees. These temperatures can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.

Freezing Cold for 75% of the US

A potent blast of Arctic air is sweeping across the US, with 75% of the country expected to experience temperatures below freezing in the next 7 days. Fifty-five million people will experience temperatures below zero. Wind chills as low as minus 71 degrees have already been recorded in Montana.

South Snow and Ice

The South and parts of the Southeast will experience temperatures well below average. A new storm system will bring snow, sleet, and ice to Oklahoma and Texas, starting Sunday afternoon. Wintry precipitation will linger on untreated surfaces due to the cold, leading to potentially dangerous commuting conditions. Arkansas is expected to receive the most snow from the storm, with up to six inches or more predicted. States like Arkansas and Louisiana have declared a state of emergency in preparation for the bitter cold and snow.

CNN’s Eric Zerkel, Taylor Ward, Mary Gilbert, Allison Chinchar, Holly Yan, Robert Shackelford, Dave Alsup, Joe Sutton, Sara Smart, Zenebou Sylla, Artemis Moshtaghian, and Nicole Grether contributed to this report.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2024-01-13 23:15:00

Arctic Chill Sets the Stage for South’s First Snow as Violent Storm Leads to Unprecedented Coastal Flooding