MI CIMS Incident Notification: 2019-01-29-Statewide-Extreme Cold
This incident, 2019-01-29-Statewide-Extreme Cold, should be used to capture all data related to the statewide extreme cold conditions expected over the next few days.
Officials across multiple states have attributed the deaths of at least 21 people to the polar vortex that gripped much of the Midwest Wednesday into Thursday. Temperatures were as low as minus 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rapid thawing is likely to cause ruptured water lines, leaky pipes, potholes, and flooded roadways and bridges. Detroit had at least 44 ruptured water mains Thursday, and officials expect that number to climb as temperatures push towards 50 degrees over the weekend.
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