- Writing
- BBC News World
image source, Ronald Grant
The Buffalo region was particularly hard hit, with severe weather hampering rescue efforts.
At least 38 deaths have been linked to a severe Arctic freeze that continues to plague the US and Canada.
The authorities report that 34 people died in the US., with the most affected area being the city of Buffalo, in the state of New York.
Four deaths occurred in Canada when a bus overturned on an icy road near the town of Merritt, in the western province of British Columbia.
The range of the winter storm is unprecedented, stretching from Canada to just south of the Rio Grande.
Forecasters say the storm will subside over the next few days, but advice to avoid travel unless essential remains.
The storm has wreaked havoc for days, but power has been steadily restored following blackouts.
Fewer than 200,000 customers were without power as of Sunday followingnoon, below the peak of 1.7 million, the AP reported.
Se thousands of flights have been canceledwhich has prevented many people from reaching their families during the Christmas holidays.
More than 55 million Americans remained under wind chill watches on Sunday.
The scope of the storm’s conditions is unprecedented, stretching from Canada to southern Texas.
image source, Archyde.com
In Canada, several drivers have had to abandon their vehicles in the province of Ontario.
cyclonic pump
The winter storm “bomb cyclone,” which occurs when air pressure plummets, bringing heavy snow and winds, has disrupted travel across the country.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, a Buffalo native, said, “This will go down in history as the most devastating storm in Buffalo.”
Some of the seven dead in the area were found in cars and snowbanks, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told Archyde.com news agency.
Storm-related deaths were also reported in Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas and Colorado.
image source, EPA
This man in Buffalo, New York, struggled to clear a passage of heavy snowfall.
The western US state of Montana is hardest hit by the cold, with temperatures dipping to -50F (-45C).
In Canada, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are the most affected by the storm.
In Quebec nearly 120,000 customers lost power on Sunday. Officials say it might take days for some homes to come back online.
