Winter storm leaves ten dead, disrupts life across the US

Monday 26 January 2026 - 13:18

By: Dakir Madiha

Winter storm leaves ten dead, disrupts life across the US

A massive winter storm has swept across the United States, leaving at least ten people dead and causing widespread disruptions. The storm, which has stretched over 2,000 miles from New Mexico to New England, has brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain, affecting millions and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Ice and snow have snapped tree branches and power lines, plunging homes and businesses into darkness, particularly in the southeastern states of Tennessee and Mississippi. The National Weather Service warned that the storm’s aftermath, including low temperatures, would create hazardous conditions for days, complicating recovery efforts. Heavy snowfall blanketed areas from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast, while catastrophic ice accumulation threatened regions in the Lower Mississippi Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast.

Meteorologist Allison Santorelli described the storm as uniquely expansive, impacting areas across the nation. In New York, subzero temperatures shattered records, with parts of the state near the Canadian border experiencing lows of minus 45 degrees Celsius. Emergency declarations were approved by President Donald Trump for at least a dozen states, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed rescue teams and resources to assist those affected.

Residents across the country grappled with the storm’s effects. In Nashville, Tennessee, locals feared power outages as ice-laden tree limbs crashed down. In Mississippi, roads became impassable, forcing businesses like Caterpillar to shut down operations temporarily. Elsewhere, families hunkered down, with many canceling plans due to dangerous travel conditions.

The storm has also wreaked havoc on air travel. More than 11,500 flights were canceled, and over 16,000 faced delays. Airports in Philadelphia, Washington, New York, and other major hubs struggled to manage the disruptions. Bitterly cold temperatures following the storm have delayed efforts to restore power and clear roads, leaving many stranded and without electricity.

Tragically, the storm has claimed multiple lives, including those of two men in Louisiana who succumbed to hypothermia and a 16-year-old girl in Texas killed in a sledding accident. In New York City, authorities reported five deaths, though investigations into the causes are ongoing. Officials have urged residents to stay indoors and off roads to prevent further casualties.

As the storm’s impact unfolded, schools and universities announced closures or shifted to remote learning. The NBA postponed several games due to dangerous travel conditions, while food prepared for canceled events was donated to shelters.

The aftermath of the storm continues to pose challenges, with utility crews and emergency workers struggling to address widespread damages. In Oxford, Mississippi, utility workers were forced to suspend operations overnight due to life-threatening conditions, as ice-coated trees and power lines created perilous working environments.

Across the affected regions, communities are bracing for a prolonged recovery as the storm’s bitter cold lingers, ensuring that ice and snow will not melt quickly. Officials in many areas are pleading for caution, urging people to stay home and allow recovery efforts to proceed safely.