CHICAGO, Illinois – A winter storm swept through the Lower 48 states, leaving a trail of fatalities and injuries in its wake. The storm brought extreme Arctic conditions, with thunderstorms, blizzards, and heavy rainfall affecting different regions of the country.
In Idaho, two men were rescued from an avalanche, while a third body, identified as Corey Zalewski, was found near Stevens Peak in Shoshone County. In Wisconsin, a man died while snowplowing his driveway. In Chicago, another man, Andy Siemionko, succumbed to cold exposure.
The severe weather led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays across the country, with over 2,000 flights canceled due to the winter conditions. The impact of the storm extended to Alaska Airlines, which extended its cancellation of Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights after a door plug detached midair during a flight.
As the storm continued into Saturday morning, high winds left tens of thousands without power, with nearly 90,000 customers still without service as of Saturday afternoon. Officials urged people to report any downed power lines as crews worked tirelessly to restore power.
The winter storm’s far-reaching effects serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, prompting authorities to issue severe weather warnings to the public. These incidents highlight the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the face of unpredictable and potentially hazardous weather events.