Top state officials in the Midwest are taking extra precautions ahead of a dangerous polar vortex arrives putting millions of people at risk of hypothermia and frostbite for the next several days.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined her counterpart in Wisconsin late Monday declaring a state of emergency and sharing tips for safety and preventing frozen pipes.
“Keeping Michiganders safe during this stretch of dangerously cold temperatures is our priority,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Such widespread, extreme conditions have not occurred in Michigan for many years and it is imperative that we are proactive with record-low temperatures being predicted by the National Weather Service. Wind chills are predicted as low as 50 degrees below zero in many places, such as metro Detroit which is especially unaccustomed to these temps.”
I am declaring a state of emergency to respond to the impacts of the extreme cold temperatures. Keeping Michiganders safe during this stretch of dangerously cold temperatures is our priority. pic.twitter.com/DBLvA2sgW7
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) January 29, 2019
Earlier in the day, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in Wisconsin for the remainder of the week.
“Due to severe winter weather, I have declared a State of Emergency throughout the State of Wisconsin. I want to make sure all state assets are available, including the Wisconsin National Guard if needed, to help communities across the state and keep people warm and safe,” he said in a tweet Monday afternoon.
Due to severe winter weather, I have declared a State of Emergency throughout the State of Wisconsin. I want to make sure all state assets are available, including the Wisconsin National Guard if needed, to help communities across the state and keep people warm and safe. pic.twitter.com/U9fy4FPygh
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) January 28, 2019
So far, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, has neglected to declare a state of emergency while Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has put out an emergency preparedness plan.
According to the Weather Channel, extreme arctic cold air will sweep across the Midwest this week, causing temperatures to reach their lowest levels in more than 20 years in some regions. Several areas in Minnesota and North Dakota could see wind chills as a low as negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
A National Weather Service wind chill warning said skin exposed to the windchill for as little as five minutes could be susceptible to frostbite. “A Wind Chill Warning means the combination of very cold air and the wind will create dangerously low wind chill values,” the advisory said. “Frostbite can occur quickly and even hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken. A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and gloves.”
President Trump addressed the coming cold snap on Twitter, making a mocking reference to global warming.
“In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder,” Trump tweeted Monday night. “People can’t last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you!”
Most scientists believe climate change accelerated by fossil fuel consumption is occurring. While global temperatures on average are on the rise, that does not preclude cold weather.
