Wind chills brought temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45 degrees Celsius) in the states of Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. 

Dozens of vehicles were involved in weather-related crashes across the country and at least nine people have been killed, according to media reports.

More than 8,000 flights were canceled Friday and there were over 25,000 delays, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, causing a travel nightmare for millions ahead of the holiday.

The storm caused massive flooding in parts of New York and New Jersey.

Several states including New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Oklahoma declared states of emergency.

US President Joe Biden urged Americans to follow warnings of local officials and to stay off the roads as some states face road closures.