Snow and Cold Affects Much of Country

As one region dug out from record snowfall, another region cleaned up after heavy wind and rains.

Erie County New York, home to Buffalo and many of its surrounding suburbs, began the arduous task of digging out from over 40 inches of snow that were driven by hurricane force winds. At least 37 people died in the county as a result of the storm.

Several hundred thousand customers were without power for multiple days, as massive drifts paralyzed snow plows and emergency crews throughout the region. 

Officials are concerned that warm temperatures will turn the massive snow problem into one of flooding. The 10-day forecast in Buffalo is for temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s with periods of rain. 

Millions of Americans hunkered down as unseasonably cold temperatures covered the eastern two thirds of the country.

A weekend Midwestern storm with high winds and blowing snow was all but a memory as roads were cleared by midweek. A few cars remained for crews to pull from roadside ditches.

A drop in temperatures caused a series of water main breaks in Memphis this week, leaving thousands of residents without running water. At least 16 water systems in Georgia also experienced problems due to the cold. 

The coast of Oregon and Washington were battered by monster waves and strong winds this week. 30 foot waves driven by 80 mile per hour winds interrupted power for over 160,000 customers in the region. A record high tide of 18.4 feet flooded portions of the Capital city of Olympia. 

The California coast saw flooding after heavy rain. Salinas, California neighborhoods flooded after a night of heavy rain. No deaths were reported, but damage was widespread. 

With more precipitation possible for the Western third of the county in early January, more flooding may be in store for California and other states.

For Market to Market, I’m Peter Tubbs.