Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Life Across the South and Northeast

Thu Jan 29 2026 15:20:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A massive winter storm has hit the Northeast and parts of the South, leading to widespread power outages, road closures, and even fatalities. Communities struggle to cope with treacherous conditions, extreme cold, and the aftermath of heavy snowfall.

A devastating winter storm has blanketed much of the South and Northeast with over a foot of snow, forcing thousands to flee their homes to warming shelters. As authorities work to restore power and clear roads, extreme cold temperatures are predicted to exacerbate the already dangerous conditions. At least 30 fatalities have been reported due to the severe weather.

As a powerful winter storm wreaked havoc across the Northeast and parts of the South, many residents found themselves stranded. In Nashville, Lisa Patterson and her husband were forced to evacuate their home after losing power and becoming trapped by fallen trees. I've been snowed in up there for almost three weeks, but this was unprecedented, Patterson remarked regarding the harsh conditions.

Across Tennessee and beyond, families headed to warming shelters as emergency crews scrambled to restore power to over half a million households. The storm's impact, which brought heavy snowfall, extreme cold, and destructive freezing rain, has already resulted in over 30 reported fatalities nationwide.

The storm dumped more than 12 inches of snow across a 1,300-mile stretch, crippling transportation, canceling thousands of flights, and shutting down schools in major urban areas. Forecasters warned that conditions could worsen, with an additional winter storm potentially looming this weekend.

In the Midwest and Northeast, wind chill temperatures are expected to plunge as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, raising concerns about frostbite and hypothermia risks. Kentucky's Governor issued a stark warning, indicating that limits to outdoor exposure could save lives.

With more than 550,000 power outages reported, particularly hard-hit regions include northern Mississippi and Tennessee, which are still recovering from the worst ice storm in decades. New York City recorded one of its snowiest days in years, with neighborhoods experiencing between 8 and 15 inches of snow.

The storm's aftermath has left many residents, such as Nathan Hoffner, scrambling to find warmth, with temperatures inside homes dropping drastically. As cold weather continues to envelop the nation, various localities are still working to restore normalcy amid this historic winter chaos.