Overview
- A polar vortex is pushing Arctic air into the U.S., with temperatures in northeastern Montana expected to drop to -45°F and wind chills reaching -60°F.
- Severe flooding in Kentucky has claimed nine lives, with most deaths caused by vehicles trapped in high water; over 1,000 people have been rescued.
- President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for Kentucky, enabling FEMA to coordinate relief efforts in the state.
- States like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota are under extreme cold warnings, with wind chills as low as -50°F expected.
- Winter storms have caused widespread power outages, road closures, and dangerous conditions across the Midwest, Rockies, and eastern U.S., with avalanche warnings issued in parts of the Rocky Mountains.