2025 Begins With Deadly Winter Storms and Wildfires
Shouldn’t January be over by now? There are many people in the West, Midwest, South, and East who wish it were.
That includes folks in Nashville, Tennessee, 4Patriots’ headquarters. And where did the Weather Channel send Jim Cantore to cover a winter storm last week? Right here in Nashville.
As one 4Patriots employee said, “When Jim shows up in your neck of the woods, things could get serious.” Our staff prepared with food kits and generators to face the storm. Not to mention sleds.
But not everyone across the country prepared for the storms and wildfires that have ravaged the nation over the past two weeks.
January Is Only Halfway Through
Deadly storms, a polar vortex, and wildfires… and we’re only at the midpoint of the month. Forecasts for the next two weeks are showing that more of the same is possible.
Who do we have to blame for this onslaught? Featuring blizzards, frigid temperatures, and uncontained wildfires?
A couple of winter storms named Blair and Cora, that’s who. Along with six fires engulfing the Los Angeles area. Blair formed on January 3 on the West Coast and finally exited the East Coast on January 7.
Cora emerged on January 7. It slammed a multitude of states in the South, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic. And then the Northeast. California wildfires have been raging out of control for more than a week.
Blair Spreads Chaos Over 2,000 Miles
Winter Storm Blair produced the nation’s first tornado of the year (in California). It also generated blizzards in Kansas and Missouri.
Much of the Midwest experienced dangerous freezing rain. High winds and rain resulted in downed power lines. The southern half of Illinois got pounded with 6 to 12 inches of snow as an arctic blast moved south.
The mid-Atlantic states were also affected. The impact of the storm extended for more than 2,000 miles. Snow totals included over 20 inches in Kansas. Plus 13 inches in Missouri, 12 in Nebraska and Indiana, and 11 in West Virginia.
Blair took the lives of 7 people, spawned 12 tornadoes, and caused 365,000 power outages.
Cora Clobbers South and Southeast
As if Blair wasn’t enough of a wakeup call that winter had arrived, Winter Storm Cora then came calling.
The storm featuring heavy snow and ice started its journey in central and eastern Texas. It then traveled north and east across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. As well as Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.
In fact, they issued a winter storm warning for 18 states as the 1,400-mile system surged east and south.
The Texas Panhandle received up to a foot of snow, while Mena, Arkansas got 14.3 inches. Parts of Alabama saw 4 inches, while Nashville broke a 130-year-old daily snow. Thousands of flights got delayed or canceled due to the storm.
California Wildfires Shatter Records, Lives
Unseasonal wildfires erupted in Southern California on January 7. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds. Especially in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
As of this writing, the blazes have swept through 37,000 acres. They’ve destroyed entire communities and more than 12,400 structures. And forced the evacuation of over 180,000 residents. At least 16 people have lost their lives so far.
Thousands of firefighters battled high winds. A lack of water and water pressure plagued their efforts. They received support from air tankers and helicopters, dropping water and fire retardants.
Together six fires have ravaged the landscape. Tens of thousands have lost power. And the threat continues.
Looters Swoop in After Evacuations
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. Federal help arrived.
Looters have taken aim at evacuated homes. Some even entered burning houses to grab electronics and jewelry before rushing out. More than 200 Los Angeles County police officers watched for them.
Even after the fires die out, air quality will be a problem. Smoke from the fires is already causing unhealthy air conditions over much of the state.
Residents who did not need to evacuate were urged to stay home. And to use masks and air purifiers to protect themselves.
It looks like January will end up being one of the nation’s coldest months in more than 10 years. Snowfall totals, ice accumulation, and automobile accidents are setting records. As are the wildfires.
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