Dark and Devastated
- 00:02:47
- YouTube
Dark and Devastated
Making a relentless trek from the southern plains to the east coast its already left behind stories of mother natures misery." (The Weather Channel) Hello Im Charlotte Bellis and youre watching newsy.com That was coverage from The Weather Channel, reporting on a winter storms destruction throughout the Midwest in the United States. The widespread and long lasting storm system that brought up to three inches of freezing rain has left at least twenty dead in six states over the past two days. Most of the fatalities are the result of accidents on the icy roads. (The Weather Channel) The storms devastation stretches from Oklahoma to West Virginia. Reports estimate 1 million people lost power and some will be in the dark until mid-February. Schools, airports, and businesses have been shut down and residents without power are searching for a warm place to sleep. Were also following coverage of the storms damage from Missouri CBS affiliate KFVS, Kentuckys Louisville Courier-Journal.com, and the Associated Press. KFVS, a local station in Cape Girardeau, Missouri reports that people without power are searching for places that still have working heat. Thats why warming centers like this one youre looking at here in Sikeston are so important. Theres room for about 500 people here at this Sikeston field house thats at the high school on Pine Street. They have over 400 cots and the shelter operators are prepared to provide warmth and food and shelter for the people of Sikeston for several days. (KFVS) The Associated Press reports that late Wednesday, President Barack Obama signed requests issued by the Governors of Kentucky and Arkansas for federal emergency declarations. Even the National Guard in Kentucky- worked around the clock to resurrect power lines downed by thick ice in both states. Officials in states from Oklahoma to West Virginia fought to do the same. (AP) The Courier-journal in Kentucky reports that this storm is the second worst power-outage in the states history leaving 525,000 people without power that may take up to two-weeks to be restored. Kentuckys Governor said that this storm is... ...More dire and potentially life threatening because so many people could be without power in temperatures that are expected to stay below freezing until Sunday. (The Courier-Journal) Officials also worry that there will be carbon monoxide deaths due to space heaters being improperly used. Have you or family members been impacted by this massive storm? Do you think officials are doing enough to help affected citizens? We invite you to share you thoughts with us and please check out our sources ....
YouTube | January 30, 2009
