According to U.S. media reports, as of the 16th local time, winter storms that ravaged many states in the United States had killed at least 21 people and cut power from more than 5.5 million families.
CNN reported on the 16th that winter storms have caused power outages in parts of many states, including Texas and Arkansas. Among them, Texas was the most affected, with nearly 4,307,010 households without power.
According to officials in Harris County, Texas, the state is in a terrible way, with 1.37 million residents in the county alone without electricity.
The Southwest Power Company, which manages the power grid of 14 states from North Dakota to Oklahoma, announced on the same day that it would take turns the next day.
The move was a “last resort” to prevent further deterioration and lead to larger power outages, the company said in a statement.
The severe cold weather has caused the widespread paralysis of Texas’s energy industry.
The winter storm also caused widespread paralysis of Texas’s energy industry. Mortiva, North America’s largest refinery, said it would close all refineries in Texas due to cold weather. This directly led to the rise of local oil prices.
Local oil prices have risen to $63.44 a barrel since the shutdown on the 14th, reaching a new high since January 2020, and experts expect this situation to continue for weeks.
Coronavirus vaccine distribution and vaccination work has been affected
Many states in the United States announced on the 16th that due to the winter storm, the transportation of vaccines has been delayed, hospitals have been cut off, and some vaccinations have to be postponed. Texas originally planned to receive more than 400,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine this week, but according to local health officials, it will not resume the delivery of vaccine until at least the 17th. Missouri canceled all mass vaccinations scheduled for 15-19. Nevada’s health department said that the delivery of vaccines originally scheduled for this week may be delayed.
The National Weather Service said that the winter storm is expected to continue for some time and continue to spread to the eastern United States, bringing strong snow.
