30 Dead as Powerful Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Continue to Pummel US

Many people across the United States endured another night of below-freezing temperatures and widespread power outages after a massive winter storm dumped heavy snow on the Northeast and coated parts of the South in ice. At least 30 deaths have been reported in states affected by the severe cold.

More than a foot of snow stretched across a 1,300-mile corridor from Arkansas to New England, paralyzing traffic, grounding flights, and forcing widespread school closures. The National Weather Service reported that areas north of Pittsburgh received up to 20 inches of snow, with wind chills dropping to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit late Monday into Tuesday.

Forecasters warned that the extreme cold affecting nearly two-thirds of the country would persist. A fresh surge of Arctic air is expected to maintain freezing conditions in already snow- and ice-covered regions, and another winter storm could strike parts of the East Coast later this week.

The rising death toll includes two people struck by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, teenagers killed in sledding accidents in Arkansas and Texas, and a woman found dead in Kansas after leaving a bar. In New York City, officials reported that eight people were found dead outdoors over the frigid weekend.

Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

As of Monday evening, more than 560,000 customers remained without electricity, according to PowerOutage.com. Most outages were concentrated in the South, where freezing rain snapped trees and power lines, especially in northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee. Authorities warned that full restoration could take several days.

Mississippi officials distributed cots, blankets, bottled water, and generators to warming centers following the state’s worst ice storm since 1994. Governor Tate Reeves said at least 14 homes, one business, and 20 public roads suffered major damage.

At the University of Mississippi, classes were canceled for the week as students remained without power on an ice-covered campus. Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill described the damage as resembling “a tornado going down every street.”

Local resident Tim Phillips said falling tree limbs damaged his garage, broke a window, and cut power to his home.
“It’s just one of those things you try to prepare for,” he said, “but this one was unreal.”

Travel and School Disruptions

The storm triggered more than 12,000 flight delays and cancellations nationwide on Monday, according to FlightAware. On Sunday, nearly 45 percent of U.S. flights were canceled, the highest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, aviation data firm Cirium reported.

Major hubs, including Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, were severely affected, stranding passengers and flight crews and causing ripple effects nationwide.

In New England, light to moderate snow continued through Monday evening. New York City recorded its snowiest day in years, with 8 to 15 inches in some neighborhoods. While schools were closed for in-person classes, about 500,000 students attended lessons online.

Bitter Cold Across the Nation

Following the storm, dangerously low temperatures spread across the Midwest, South, and Northeast. The Lower 48 states were forecast to experience an average low of minus 9.8 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest since January 2014.

In the Nashville area, power was restored to thousands, but about 146,000 customers were still without electricity Monday night. Hotels were fully booked as residents sought refuge from dark, freezing homes.

Alex Murray booked a hotel room to preserve breast milk for his 6-month-old daughter and planned to extend his stay while awaiting power restoration.
“We were really fortunate,” he said. “Many people don’t have that option.”

Deaths Reported in Multiple States

Authorities confirmed storm-related deaths across several states. In Kansas, a 28-year-old teacher was found dead in the snow after leaving a bar without her coat or phone. Snowplow accidents in Massachusetts and Ohio claimed two lives.

Arkansas and Texas each reported two fatalities. Officials also reported:

• Four deaths in Tennessee

• Three each in Louisiana and Pennsylvania

• Two in Mississippi

• One each in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Kentucky

Investigations continue into the deaths of eight people found outdoors in New York City during the extreme cold.