rki.news
Doha, January 28, 2026: A massive winter storm has left dozens dead and hundreds of thousands without power across the United States, Xinhua and the Associated Press reported. The storm, which struck over the weekend, brought record-breaking snow, ice, and frigid temperatures from the Northeast to the South.
At least 45 weather-related deaths have been reported nationwide. In Texas, three young brothers, aged 6, 8, and 9, drowned after falling into an icy pond. In New York City, officials found 10 people dead outdoors in the cold.
Power outages remain widespread, with over 400,000 people affected as of Tuesday night. Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana were hit hardest, where freezing rain and ice caused tree limbs and power lines to collapse. Authorities in Mississippi reported urgent needs for bottled water, blankets, fuel, and generators, with FEMA sending emergency supplies.
Nashville alone faced more than 110,000 outages, forcing school closures and sending 46 children to hospitals for carbon monoxide exposure as families tried to heat their homes. More than 740 repair crews have been dispatched to restore electricity.
The U.S. aviation system has largely resumed operations after over 12,500 flight cancellations on Sunday. American Airlines called the storm the most disruptive in its 100-year history. Another winter storm is forecast for the East Coast this weekend, with dangerously low temperatures expected as far south as Florida.