Freezing rain swept through the upper Great Lakes region on Sunday, bringing down trees and power lines in Michigan and Wisconsin. Tens of thousands were left without electricity as ice accumulated on infrastructure, causing significant damage.
Utilities reported over 400,000 power outages across Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. In response, communities opened warming centers in churches, schools, and fire halls to provide shelter for those affected by the cold temperatures.
“We haven’t seen ice like this in years,” said a resident of Alpena County, Michigan, where nearly 16,000 homes and businesses were left in the dark. “The weight of the ice brought down entire trees.”
Meanwhile, forecasters warned that severe weather was on its way to Tennessee. The National Weather Service indicated that winds exceeding 70 miles per hour (113 kilometers per hour) were possible on Sunday night, with a chance of tornadoes and hail as large as two inches (5 centimeters).
Residents in Tennessee were advised to stay alert. “The conditions are ripe for severe storms,” meteorologists cautioned. “Make sure you have a plan in place in case tornado warnings are issued.”
In addition to the icy conditions in the north and the impending storms in the south, authorities in South Carolina reported progress in controlling wildfires in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires have burned about 17 square miles (44 square kilometers), leading to mandatory evacuations in parts of Greenville County.
Emergency services are working tirelessly across multiple states to address these natural challenges. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news outlets and official weather updates.
