After the US was battered by fierce winter storms for the past week, over 90 weather-related fatalities have been reported nationwide.
At least 25 people have died in Tennessee, and 16 people have died in Oregon, which is still under an emergency declaration due to strong ice storms.
Large portions of the nation continue to be without power for tens of thousands of people.
The icy conditions should subside over the next few days.
A tally kept by CBS, the BBC’s US partner, shows that 92 weather-related fatalities have been reported nationwide in the last week.
Tennessee and Oregon have recorded the highest number of deaths, but there have also been fatalities reported in Mississippi, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, and other places.
Last Wednesday, three individuals in Portland, Oregon, died from electrocution after strong winds caused a power line to fall and hit the car they were riding in. One infant inside the car lived.
A person who perished in a car crash involving five vehicles in Kentucky and four in Illinois is among the other deaths that are still being looked into.
Over the course of just four days in Seattle, five people died, the majority of whom were thought to be homeless, according to the Associated Press.
Due to the current weather, Mississippi officials have issued two driving advisories: “drive only if necessary” and “be aware of black ice” on the state’s roadways. Due to the weather, state colleges and universities have postponed their students’ return from winter break.
After three more deaths were reported in the state on Sunday, the total number of deaths there increased to 11.
Authorities in Mississippi are also looking into whether people stored water in their bathtubs as a result of internet rumors indicating possible water shortages due to the storm. The state capital of Jackson, which has a history of water problems, saw thousands of residents experience a brief decrease in water pressure and dry faucets as a result of the move.
Tennessee is not the only state with water problems. A boil water notice is still in effect for 400,000 people in the Memphis area, one of nearly 30 areas that has been issued due to broken pipes. Due to the low temperatures, the local utility reported that it had repaired 41 water mains and over 4,000 water pipes.
Until further notice, use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, doing dishes, and preparing food, the company stated on X. “You can safely bathe and shower with tap water, but try not to get any in your mouth.”
Several bars and restaurants in the southern US city were reportedly forced to close or provide altered menus on Sunday due to the use of bottled water to serve patrons.
In the US, tens of thousands of people still lack power, even though most areas that lost electricity due to the winter weather have had it restored.
In Oregon, 45,000 people lacked electricity as of Sunday night. There have been additional reports of power outages in Indiana, Pennsylvania, California, and New Mexico.
Large portions of the country were expected to have hazardous driving conditions on Monday, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued an ice storm warning for Monday in parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas.
A thaw is anticipated after that, though some meteorologists are apprehensive that warm air and precipitation may result in flooding in some areas of the Midwest and northeastern US.
Some eastern regions of the nation may see temperatures well above average for the season by the end of the week.