Severe Winter Weather Causes Over 70 Deaths in U.S. At least 70 people have died due to severe winter storms and cold temperatures across the United States. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities assess the aftermath. Fatalities have resulted from a variety of weather-related causes, including traffic accidents, hypothermia, and downed power lines. Tennessee and Oregon have reported particularly high numbers of deaths. The extreme weather has prompted state of emergency declarations in several states. As temperatures are set to rise, concerns about infrastructure and vulnerability to extreme weather persist.