health
January 26, 2026
US winter storm: at least 18 people dead and nearly 200m under cold alerts
Thousands of flights also canceled as states from Texas to Maine grapple with heavy snow, ice and cold temperatures
TL;DR
- At least 18 deaths have been reported across the US due to a powerful winter storm.
- Fatalities occurred in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, New York City, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Tennessee.
- Causes of death include hypothermia, sledding accidents, and being struck by a snow plow.
- More than 200 million people are under cold alerts, with frigid air and sub-zero lows expected.
- Widespread power outages affected over 800,000 people, with significant numbers in Tennessee and Mississippi.
- Damage in Mississippi is described as extensive, with ongoing efforts to restore power and clear debris.
- University of Mississippi cancelled classes due to extreme winter weather.
- Travel was heavily disrupted, with over 10,500 US flights cancelled on Sunday and nearly 5,000 on Monday.
- Snowfall totals reached up to 20 inches in Massachusetts and 23 inches in Pennsylvania.
- Major institutions in New York City and Washington DC, along with public schools in some areas, were closed or shifted to remote learning.
- There is an increasing potential for another significant winter storm to impact the eastern United States this coming weekend.
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned of dangerously cold temperatures continuing through the week.
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