Transformer EXPLODES and wipes out power in Kansas City due to storm

This is the terrifying moment a power transformer explodes into sparks on a street in Missouri as wild winds and freezing temperatures sweep across the Midwest.

The electrical box blast sparked a huge explosion that lit up the sky like fireworks Thursday night outside Kansas City in the suburb of Liberty.

Buildings nearby plunged into darkness after the power cut out - just as temperatures dropped to bone-chilling figures.

More than 2,000 customers were impacted as the mammoth storm rolled through, leaving households without heat in a snowed and iced-in area. In total, more than 1.5 million people across the country have been left without power as the winter weather causes widespread chaos.  

An individual wrapped in a comforter as snow began to fall in St. Louis, Missouri on Thursday

Crews were quick to arrive at the explosion site on Highway 291 Thursday night as wind chills hit a shocking minus 32 degrees.

On Friday, the wind chill was forecast to hit a low of negative 24 degrees in some parts of the state.

State emergencies have been declared in six states, including New York, as the storm blew east overnight and into Friday morning. 

It has so far left two-thirds of the country under some form of extreme weather alert that includes high winds, flooding and dramatic temperature drops. 

Energy company Evergy reported Thursday that about 12,000 Midwest customers were left without power due to the storm - around 8,000 of whom were in the Wichita, Kansas area.

One account out of Topeka claimed the power went out in the neighborhood at around 5.30am the day the storm rolled through.

Evergy crews were on the scene by 7.30am and had power restored by 10.45am as temperatures fell below zero. 

Accidents and at least six deaths have been reported across the US as the storm travels from state to state, dramatically disrupting holiday travel plans for millions of Americans.

As many as two-thirds of US flights are expected to be canceled or delayed. Amtrak train service and many bus lines were reporting changes and cancelations across the country on Friday morning.

On Friday alone, around 10,000 US flights were delayed and over 3,000 have been canceled. 

Footage from a police dash cam caught the dramatic explosion as the winter storm continues to jeopardize power across several US regions

Evergy crews were on the scene in a Topeka, Kansas neighborhood by 7.30am and had power restored by 10.45am as temperatures fell below zero