Record breaking storm- Nature is changing, ie. Mitzraim

Blizzard warnings, as holiday storms hit central US
12-25-09

At least 18 people have died as a result of blizzards and freezing temperatures enveloping the US Midwest.

A state of emergency has been declared in South Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma, where the authorities have shut down highways after a series of accidents.

The winter weather, has stranded hundreds of travelers trying to make it home for the holidays. Flights have been delayed or cancelled. The conditions have also led several churches, to cancel Christmas services.

'Raging blizzard'
"The storm is spanning two thirds of the country," said Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.
"Its effects run the gamut from severe thunderstorms in the Gulf Coast to ice in New England to really what is a raging blizzard in the lower plains," he added.

Parts of at least 10 central states, stretching from North Dakota to Oklahoma in the south, are now under blizzard warnings.
Winds of up to 50mph (80kph) buffeted central Kansas; while gusts of up to 65mph in Texas, left 5ft snow drifts, in some areas.

The storm began in the south-west on Tuesday before spreading to the east and north.

The Midwest storm comes, as the East Coast recovers from record snowfall last weekend, which brought much of the capital Washington DC to a standstill.

Forecasters warned of dangerous travel conditions in the eastern seaboard over the weekend, with freezing rain and heavy downpours expected from North Carolina to New England.

Flood warnings have been issued for parts of the north-east as the snow begins to melt.