A deep freeze swept across the U.S. as Arctic weather resulted in a water crisis and increasingly harsh living conditions for many residents. Memphis, Tennessee was hit particularly hard as citizens were advised to boil their water and experienced numerous water main fractures, leading to contaminated water supplies and a lack of water for some. The Four Way Grill, a restaurant in Memphis, had to close its doors due to these water problems, adding financial strain to the numerous other issues caused by the extreme weather conditions.
In addition to the water issues in Memphis, numerous states across the U.S. suffered from plummeting temperatures, power outages, and heavy snowfall. The Midwest and Northeast were particularly affected, with massive chills and snow covering the regions. Particularly tragic is the fact that there have been at least 55 deaths attributed to the extreme weather conditions, with Tennessee alone recording 19 deaths due to the freezing temperatures and resulting hazards. Thousands have also been left without electricity in Oregon due to storm damage.
Despite the difficult conditions, a potential thaw isn’t expected until next week, when the forecast calls for above-average temperatures. The National Weather Service has forecasted that the majority of the U.S. will experience a temperature rise, hopefully putting an end to the misery caused by the harsh, unrelenting winter weather.