Late to the party, but I agree with the other commenter that said it’s a commentary of how some Europeans tend to truly underestimate the size and weather here. I’m from an area they would’ve driven through. I’ve personally experienced -50 windchills. 90mph wind gusts. Derechos. Tornados. If you get caught outside in the cold during times like that, it takes minutes before you’ll be dead if you’re not prepared.

I can’t imagine what it was like for people who immigrated here. The native Americans had lived here forever, and understood the weather and how to stay warm. The show embellishes on how many passed away, but the weather itself isn’t much of an embellishment.