ALBAWABA- A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has killed at least 13 people and left more than one million households without electricity as of January 26, 2026, disrupting daily life across large parts of the country and straining emergency services.
Deaths have been reported in several states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana, and were linked to weather-related incidents such as traffic accidents on icy roads, exposure to extreme cold, and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by improper use of generators during power outages. Authorities warned that the toll could rise as freezing conditions persist.
Power outages peaked at more than 1.4 million earlier in the week, with southern states, less accustomed to prolonged cold, among the hardest hit.
Restoration efforts have been slowed by fallen power lines, ice-covered infrastructure, and dangerous wind chills. Schools have closed across multiple states, more than 8,000 flights have been canceled nationwide, and officials continue to urge residents to avoid nonessential travel.
Nearly 90 million people remain under cold weather alerts, with temperatures plunging to as low as −30°F (−34°C) in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Forecasters warn that Arctic air could linger for days or even weeks, prolonging disruptions to transport, power, and basic services.
In response, President Donald Trump approved federal emergency declarations for at least 12 states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The declarations unlock federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to critical infrastructure. Additional requests for aid, including from North Carolina, are under review.
FEMA has pre-positioned generators, emergency supplies, and response teams to support state and local authorities as recovery efforts begin.
