Powerful storm threatens East Coast including parts unaccustomed to heavy snow

A powerful storm is wreaking havoc on the East Coast, bringing howling winds, flooding, and heavy snow to areas that are more accustomed to hurricanes than blizzards. The frigid temperatures have left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power, creating a dire situation for many residents.

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which is known for its sunny weather, 6 inches of snow is expected. The city lacks snow removal equipment, so authorities are scrambling to find ways to clear the snow-covered streets. In Nashville, Tennessee, temperatures have dropped to near the teens, leaving residents frustrated after a week without power.

The storm is forecasted to bring heavy snow to the Carolinas, Virginia, and northeast Georgia, with up to a foot of snow expected in some areas. Blizzard conditions are possible as the storm moves out to sea, with snow also predicted from Maryland to Maine. The cold weather is expected to extend as far south as Florida, causing concerns for residents unaccustomed to such low temperatures.

In Tennessee and Mississippi, more than 170,000 homes and businesses are without electricity, with over 57,000 outages in Nashville alone. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has expressed concerns about the slow pace of power restoration and has called for transparency from utility companies.

Mississippi officials have declared the storm to be the worst since 1994, with about 80 warming centers opened to provide relief to residents. National Guard troops have been deployed to deliver supplies, and experts are warning of the growing risks of hypothermia and frostbite in the South.

Tragically, over 100 people have died from Texas to New Jersey, with many of the deaths occurring in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Some deaths have been attributed to hypothermia, while others are suspected to be related to carbon monoxide exposure. In North Carolina, National Guard soldiers are on standby to assist residents, while residents in Dare County fear that unoccupied houses could collapse into the Atlantic Ocean.

As the storm continues to wreak havoc along the East Coast, residents are urged to take precautions and stay safe in the face of extreme weather conditions.