The storm closed the country's main highways and canceled thousands of flights days before Christmas.
Currently, most of the country is experiencing heavy snowfall, strong winds and cold, including in the southern states, which are considered average weather.
According to the National Weather Service, about 240 million people (70% of the population) are facing a climatic challenge as cold winds drop temperatures as low as minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the US Power Outage Tracker, the harsh winter is causing immediate concern for around 1.5 million electricity customers, primarily in the southern and eastern United States.
Transportation departments in North and South Dakota, Oklahoma, Iowa and elsewhere reported near-zero visibility, snow-covered roads and snowstorms, and urged residents to stay indoors.
At least two fatalities in traffic accidents were reported in Oklahoma on Thursday, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed three fatalities in his state.
New York Gov. Cathy Hoechl said at a news conference that this is a very large statewide storm. The streets turn into ice rinks and your tires can't cope with the situation.
Rosa Falcon, a school teacher and volunteer, told AFP that in El Paso, Texas, desperate migrants huddled in churches, schools and a community center to find warmth.
But some of them stayed outside in minus 15 degrees for fear of being spotted by immigration officials.
It should be noted that more than 4,500 American flights were canceled early on Friday, while 5,900 were delayed.
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