In a state that is accustomed to harsh winter conditions, these extreme temperatures remain very rare and should last for several more days.
The human toll is appalling. According to the first estimates of the American authorities, the “blizzard of the century” which has been affecting the United States for several days, and which is far from over yet, has caused the death of at least 47 people, including 25 in a single county. of New York State.
Snow, wind and extreme cold
Several states were thus affected by this extreme climatic situation, including Minnesota, located on the Canadian border near the Great Lakes region. With BFMTV, Vanessa, a French expatriate in Minnesota, looks back on these last days in the cold.
“The first day we had between -36°C and -40°C,” she says.
“Then the storm passed, there was a lot of extremely heavy snow. Lots of problems on the roads but we didn’t have any power cuts, we are used to having big storms but this one is extreme by compared to those we are used to living in Minnesota”, she assures.
frozen thumbs
According to this same testimony, the hours following the snowstorm were also intense. “There was a lot of wind that got up after the snow, that’s the worst thing,” says Vanessa again.
According to US authorities, several of the victims were found dead in their cars, while others died of cardiac arrest while trying to clear snow outside their homes.
“The recommendations are to stay less than ten minutes outside because you can have frozen extremities or frostbite”, indicates the Frenchwoman, who also claims to have herself paid the price for this extremely low mercury.
“I went out with two pairs of gloves and warmers but despite that my thumbs were almost frozen.”
For the hours to come, the authorities of several states in the Northeast of the United States are expecting new snowfalls which could reach 30 cm in places while temperatures will remain polar.
