The brutally cold weather is putting millions at risk with 85 percent of the country facing temperatures at or below freezing.

Many schools and offices are closed and the deep freeze is even prompting the US Postal Service to take the rare step of suspending mail delivery to a wide swath of the region.

Normal activities are shutting down and residents are huddled inside as the National Weather Service forecasts plunging temperatures from one of the coldest air masses in years.

The bitter cold is the result of a split in the polar vortex that allowed temperatures to plunge much further south in North America than normal.

Lakes and rivers are frozen solid while ice and snow are wreaking havoc on many roads across the country.

Forecasters predict that Chicago will be colder than Antarctica this week as temperatures reach 20 below zero as the wind chill makes it feel like minus 50.

It's so cold in the windy city that officials are setting commuter railroad tracks on fire to keep them from contracting.

Amtrak has suspended all services in the city.

In North Dakota, temperatures plunged as low as minus 26 with wind chills as low as minus 62.

Governors in several states declaring emergencies due to the dangerously low temperatures.

"It's hard to take a breath in, it's affecting my lungs a little bit," said Sandra Dixon, who had traveled from Texas to Minnesota.

Authorities across the country are warning drivers to be prepared.

"I would suggest maybe getting a blanket, an extra set of clothing, maybe an alternative battery source for your phone," said Sgt. David Moran of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Service.

In a desperate attempt to get the homeless off the streets, Chicago is turning buses into makeshift warming centers.

"We're bringing the warming shelters to them, so they can stay near all of their stuff and still warm up," said Cristina Villarreal, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Family and Support Services.

Meanwhile, emergency rooms are seeing an increase in cases of frostbite and bracing for more in the days to come.

Officials urge residents to not only bundle up, but to consider not going out at all, until the weather warms up. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Skeptical Doctor Shocked After Blind Son's Miracle Healing, Husband's Near-Death Experience

Louisiana Pastor Sues Library After Being Fired over Preferred Pronouns

Trans Athletes Drop Challenge to New Hampshire Women's Sports Law

30,000 'Trojan Horses': Europe and Britain Face Muslim Domination and Escalating Threat of Civil War

Consumer Prices See Steepest Monthly DECLINE in More Than Six Years in June

Documents Reveal: Democrat Special Counsel Jack Smith Spied on, Lied to Congress

The Deal Ensuring Conservatives' Border Security and SAVE America Act

Speaker Mike Johnson Issues Serious Warning About Communism and the DSA: 'This is Not a Game' (VIDEO)

Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'God Is Everything for Me'

More Arson? Investigators Sift Through Ashes at Landmark 173-Year-Old Church Searching for Clues

Shocking Survey: More than Two-Thirds of Gen-Z Don't Know What America 250 Commemorates (Video)

US House to Vote on Bill Making Daylight Savings Time Permanent

What to Know About Darline Nordone, Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Fill His Seat

Amid Renewed War against Iran's Islamic Regime, the Country's People Once Again Take to the Streets in Anti-government Protests

US Pounds Iranian Targets After Blockade Reimposed; Trump Scraps 20% Fee for Trade Deals

'Abundant Life': Study Finds Bible-Reading Is Better Self-Care Than Exercise

A New Low: Doctors Are Now Making the Case for Death by Organ Donation

Trump Administration Launches Anti-Predator Initiative for Schools K-12

US Targeting Islamic Republic Army Bases, Strikes IRGC Nuclear Town; People of Iran React to Sen. Graham's Death

Cause of Death Revealed for Lindsey Graham, Pro-Life Champion and Strong Defender of Israel