a polar wave freezes a part of the United States

A wave of extreme cold froze Wednesday in the Midwestern United States, with lower temperatures than in Antarctica forced to cancel flights and suspend trips, and paralyzed the lives of tens of millions of citizens.

Postal services were interrupted, schools and businesses shut down, and residents had to stay at home in 12 states with temperatures below double digits, in the most extreme cold snap that shook the city. region in recent years.

In Chicago, rivers and lakes froze due to low temperatures – AFP

The US media has attributed at least five deaths to low temperatures and the snowstorm that preceded them.

In the third American city, Chicago, where the temperature this morning was -30 ° C, with a thermal sensation of -46 ° C because of the icy windIt was colder than in the state capital of Alaska and even more so than in parts of Antarctica.

And blocks of ice floated in the city's river, while flames from gas burners heated the regional railways to keep them going.

More than 1,800 flights canceled at the two largest airports in the city and the railroad operator Amtrak discontinued its service from Chicago.

The US Postal Service, known for its commitment to deliver mail despite the weather, suspended shipments to Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

The inhabitants of the northern United States were very hot on the street because of the polar wave – AP

The cause seems to be an arctic air mbad that is detached from the polar vortex that generally surrounds the North Pole, thereby triggering the polar wave.

"A record mbad of cold air will remain at the center and that of the United States in the coming days", said the National Meteorological Service (NWS, for its acronym in English).

"It's cold, and then there's cold!" says the NWS. "Extreme and dangerous exhaustion!"

"Icy winds between 30 and 60 degrees below zero will be common in the northern plains, the great lakes and the upper half of the Midwest," he added.

Authorities warned that extreme temperatures could be deadly and the states of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin have put in place emergency plans.

There is a lot of ice and snow on the streets of Chicago – AFP

"The National Meteorological Service continues to predict dangerous temperatures below zero and the priority remains the safety of people"Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.

In addition, homes have been opened for vulnerable residents and homes for homeless people, including some 16,000 homeless people living on the streets of Chicago.

"We are adding extra beds in the shelters," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday at a news conference. "We will not leave anyone in need of a safe and secure place," he added.

In Chicago and Minneapolis, buses are used as shelters homeless for homeless people.

"We need everyone to do our part and ensure that you and your families are ready," said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Authorities and health experts have indicated that freezing and hypothermia could occur a few minutes after exposure to extreme cold.