23 people die as severe winter storm sweeps US

In the US, at least 23 people died as frigid temperatures gripped parts of the country that are unaccustomed to a deep freeze. Most of the people died in the cold storm or its aftermath. Storm warnings were issued in parts of Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and the hardest-hit state of Texas. The storm moved to eastern Canada on Tuesday, but the damage left behind was severe. Temperatures across the middle of the United states had plummeted to lows, not felt in a century with measurements of minus 14 Degrees in Oklahoma City and minus 20 in Fayetteville, Ark.       
More than four million people across the country, mostly in Texas remained without electricity and officials have demanded an investigation into widespread power outages.More than 2,700 US flights had been cancelled by midday on Tuesday, led by two Texas airports, with more than 800 cancelled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and more than 700 at Bush Intercontinental in Houston.Wind-chill warnings have been extended from Canada into Mexico, where four million people lost power.
The National Weather Service was “very surprised how rapidly this storm intensified … and at the time of night when most people are at home and in bed, it creates a very dangerous situation,” Emergency Services Director Ed Conrow said.Texas officials requested 60 generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and planned to prioritise hospitals and nursing homes. The state opened 35 shelters to more than 1,000 occupants, the agency said.