02 February 2023 , 12:58
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A blistering cold snap in Texas has left at least six people dead and over 340,000 people without power.
The wintry conditions have left much of the US state dealing with the fallout of the unusually low temperatures
Runways were turned into skating rinks after the icy conditions forced more than 2,300 flights to be cancelled.
Of the thousands of flights cancelled, at least 550 were at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, which is seen with a runway covered in snow and airport staff treating one plane for ice.
The National Weather Service has predicted that the cold snap will last until Thursday with further weather warnings issued for other parts of the country ahead of the weekend.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Businesses and homes have been left without electricity in Texas as the weather brought down trees and power lines.
Residents have been told to stay off the roads (PA)And with the dangerous conditions set to continue, the Parkland Health system in Texas closed its clinic yesterday and will remain shut today.
They asked patients to stay at home until the weather improves.
It comes as 12 million people across Oklahoma, Missouri, central and eastern Arkansas, Tennessee, northwestern Mississippi and Texas under ice storm weather warnings.
Ice storm warnings are issued when more than a quarter of an inch of ice are possible.
Businesses and homes have been left without electricity (PA)Local officials said the unsafe travel conditions has led to hundreds of car crashes across Texas as people ignored advice to stay at home.
One property in Flower Mound suffered damage after a driver crashed into their garden.
In addition, a Texas Department of Public Safety said a 49-year-old woman died this week after she lost control of her car on an icy road in Eldorado.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth warned motorists to stay off the roads.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth warned motorists to stay off the road (PA)It said: "Road conditions will be AWFUL after sunset and overnight. “DO NOT BE ON THE ROADS.”
Weather maps forecast 750-mile blizzard dropping three inches of snow next week
Since Monday there has been an inch of snow in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois.
Emergency services have been responded to calls of people suffering from hypothermia and ice injuries.
The National Weather Service also predicts “dangerously cold temperatures” across the weekend.
It warned locals with the freezing cold winds people can get frostbite in just 10 minutes.
They said: “Limit time outdoors and cover all skin if going out.”
And with temperatures of -20C and -35C predicted across Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine, governors have asked residents to check in on vulnerable family.
Maine Governor Janet Mills said: “Temperatures this weekend will be extremely - and dangerously - cold across the state.
“Please take extra precautions, be careful if you go outside, and be sure to check on your family, friends, and neighbour's to make sure they are okay.”