US winter storm death toll rises to 85 amid freezing temperatures

At least 85 people have died from a crippling winter storm that has left hundreds stranded across the US South, with Mississippi and Tennessee hardest hit.

With a new wave of arctic air moving in, temperatures in cities such as Nashville are expected to plunge into the teens (−10°C) on the night of January 30, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

More than 230,000 homes and businesses remain without electricity, and power restoration could take days.

Emergency services are delivering food, blankets, and medical supplies while checking on vulnerable residents.

Local warming centres have opened, offering temporary shelter, but demand exceeds capacity in some areas. Residents have reported days without heat, food, or electricity, prompting fears of hypothermia.

Major highways, including Interstates 55 and 22 in northern Mississippi, remain closed due to ice and fallen trees.

Forecasters warn that subfreezing temperatures and snow could persist across the eastern US into February, with additional snowfall possible in the Carolinas, Virginia, and northeast Georgia.

Authorities urge residents to take precautions as the prolonged cold poses serious health risks, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with heart or respiratory conditions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev