The Latest: Homeless man’s death may be due to bitter cold
CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on the frigid weather in the Midwest (all times local):
9:15 a.m.
Authorities in New York say the death of a homeless man whose frozen body was found in a suburban Buffalo bus shelter might be related to the arctic cold that has blanketed much of the northern U.S. this week.
An autopsy was planned to determine whether the man found in the village of Williamsville froze to death or died of another cause. His name wasn’t immediately released.
The number of deaths that could be blamed on the subzero cold has climbed to at least 17. The deaths have occurred in eight states, from Iowa to New York.
The frigid conditions are starting to ease in the Midwest, where a dramatic swing of as much as 80 degrees was expected within days in parts of the region.
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7 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a man found frozen in his backyard in a Milwaukee suburb.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the home in Cudahy on Thursday, the same day temperatures plunged to record lows in several Midwestern cities.
No details about the man or what preceded his death were immediately released. An autopsy is scheduled.
At least 16 deaths are now blamed on the bitterly cold weather that has held much of the region in a historic deep freeze.
The frigid conditions are starting to ease, and a dramatic swing of as much as 80 degrees was expected within days in parts of the region.
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6:30 a.m.
Water main breaks and burst pipes have disrupted operations at several facilities in Michigan amid bitterly cold weather, including a Detroit court and a university library.
The 36th District Court was closed Friday amid flooding caused by a burst pipe. The damage follows this week’s subzero temperatures. A restoration company will work through the weekend to get the court ready to reopen Monday.
In suburban Detroit, the Kresge Library at Oakland University was closed Friday due to flooding caused by a water main break. And in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the city of Escanaba was cleared to resume using water after a water main break.
Similar problems are expected amid a rapid thaw. A flood warning remains in effect along the Muskegon River in western Michigan due to an ice jam.
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12 a.m.
Many of the same Midwestern commuters who bundled up like polar explorers this week might soon get by with a light jacket.
Forecasts say the region will see a rapid thaw over the next few days, with temperatures climbing by as much as 80 degrees. Experts say it’s unprecedented, and it could create problems of its own such as bursting pipes, flooding rivers and crumbling roads.
Jeff Masters is meteorology director of the Weather Underground firm. He says past cold waves have not dissipated this quickly.
Rockford, Illinois, saw a record-breaking minus 31 (minus 35 Celsius) on Thursday but should be around 50 (10 Celsius) on Monday. Other previously frozen areas can expect temperatures of 55 (13 Celsius) or higher.
