BYLeanna First-Arai, TruthoutPUBLISHEDFebruary 17, 2021SHAREShare

The frigid air mass that is blanketing much of the lower 48 states and Mexico in subzero temperatures is set to linger across much of the continent until Saturday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Associhas already produced record snowfall, tornadoes and thundersnow.

So far, the death toll from Winter Storm Uri includessix peoplekilled in a 133-car pileup near Fort Worth, Texas; at leastthree peoplecrushed by debris in160 mph windin North Carolina; and amother and daughterpoisoned by carbon monoxide inside their car, where they huddled to stay warm overnight as the majority of Houston remained without power. Given thethree-year continued national risein people experiencing homelessness in cities across the…