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At least seven dead and 800,000 without power as major winter storm hits US

January 26, 2026

A severe winter storm driven by a weakened polar vortex has created life-threatening conditions across the United States, resulting in at least seven confirmed deaths from hypothermia and weather-related causes in states including Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas. The extreme weather has caused massive disruptions with over 800,000 homes losing electricity and more than 11,000 flight cancellations as of Sunday afternoon. The dangerous combination of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to impact approximately 180 million Americans—more than half the country's population—with conditions persisting for several days.

Who is affected

  • At least seven people who died (two from hypothermia in Louisiana, others in Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas)
  • Approximately 180 million Americans (more than half the US population)
  • Over 800,000 households without power
  • More than 11,000 flight passengers experiencing cancellations
  • Residents of states from Texas to New England
  • Students and school staff with closures
  • Canadians in Ontario province
  • Motorists involved in hundreds of crashes in Virginia and Kentucky
  • New Yorkers, with at least five deaths reported on Saturday
  • Residents of Washington DC, New York state, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee specifically mentioned

What action is being taken

  • Nearly half the states have declared emergencies
  • Schools across the country are canceling classes
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul is warning residents to stay inside and off roads
  • Authorities in Virginia and Kentucky are responding to hundreds of road crashes
  • Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared an emergency in the nation's capital
  • The US Senate has scrapped a scheduled vote for Monday evening
  • The National Weather Service is issuing warnings about life-threatening conditions

Why it matters

  • This storm represents the most significant winter weather event in years for many affected areas, with New York experiencing its coldest winter storm in years and Washington DC facing its biggest snowstorm in a decade. The situation is particularly dangerous because it has brought extreme Arctic conditions to southern states unaccustomed to such weather, where infrastructure and residents are less prepared for freezing temperatures. The ice accumulation poses severe risks by damaging trees, downing power lines, and creating hazardous road conditions, while the slow melting process will hinder recovery efforts for days. The storm's impact on more than half the US population, combined with widespread power outages and transportation disruptions, creates cascading effects on daily life, emergency services, and essential operations across the country.

What's next

  • The snow and ice will be very slow to melt and won't go away anytime soon, hindering recovery efforts
  • The winter storm is forecast to push northwards and eastwards, clearing the Canadian maritime by Tuesday
  • More cold air will follow in the storm's wake
  • Temperatures are forecast to stay dangerously cold into the start of February

Read full article from source: BBC