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US Winter Storm Death Toll Hits 28, Cripples Travel and Power Grid

A massive winter storm has resulted in at least 28 deaths across the United States, with fatalities including sledding accidents and individuals struck by snowplows. The storm caused crippling power outages for nearly 700,000 customers, particularly in southern states like Mississippi and Tennessee. Air travel was severely disrupted, with Sunday seeing the highest number of flight cancellations since the pandemic's onset in 2020. Officials warn that an incoming Arctic blast will prolong dangerous, sub-freezing temperatures for days, leading states like Connecticut to extend emergency cold weather protocols.

Key Points: US Winter Storm Death Toll Rises to 28, Causes Major Disruptions

  • 28 weather-related deaths reported
  • 700,000 customers without power
  • Over 12,500 US flights canceled Sunday
  • Arctic blast prolongs freezing temperatures
  • States from Massachusetts to Texas impacted
2 min read

Death toll rises to 28 amid severe winter storm across US

A severe winter storm across the US has caused 28 deaths, widespread power outages for 700k, and over 12,500 flight cancellations.

"This was the longest such protocol in the state in over a decade. - Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont"

New York, Jan 27

At least 28 weather-related deaths were reported as a massive winter storm dumped snow across dozens of US states over the weekend, causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations and school closures.

The death toll included two people run over by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, and fatal sledding accidents in Arkansas and Texas. In New York City, officials said eight people were found dead outdoors as temperatures plunged at night, Xinhua news agency reported.

From Massachusetts in the northeast to Texas in the south, roads were frozen slick with ice and buried under often more than 30 cm of snow. In some southern states, residents faced winter conditions unseen for decades.

Nearly 700,000 customers from the mid-Atlantic to the South were without power as of 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, according to poweroutage.com. Most of them were in the South, with Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana hit hardest, where freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages.

The storm snarled air traffic, with more than 12,500 US flights canceled on Sunday, the most of any day since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

As of Monday afternoon, more than 5,200 flights traveling into, from and within the United States were cancelled and over 6,600 were delayed, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.

Ground delays were reported at major US airports due to snow or ice, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he hopes airports will be "back to normal" by Wednesday.

In New York City, all public schools were closed on Monday, and students learned from home.

While the storm system was expected to drift away from the East Coast into the Atlantic on Monday, a blast of Arctic air was rushing in behind it, prolonging sub-freezing temperatures for several more days, the National Weather Service said.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is extending the state's severe cold weather protocol to February 5 as the forecast predicted overnight single-digit temperatures over the next 10 days. Lamont said this was the longest such protocol in the state in over a decade.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Reading about the power outages for 700,000 people is scary. In our metros, a few hours of power cut feels like a crisis. Can't imagine dealing with that in sub-zero temperatures. Hope the authorities restore services quickly.
D
David E
The scale of disruption is massive—12,500 flights canceled! It shows even the most developed infrastructure can be brought to its knees by weather. Makes you think about climate resilience everywhere.
A
Ananya R
So tragic about the people found outdoors in NYC. We have similar issues during our severe heatwaves. Extreme weather, whether heat or cold, hits the most vulnerable the hardest. Governments need better emergency protocols.
S
Suresh O
With all respect, the article mentions the death toll but not much about preparedness. Southern states facing "conditions unseen for decades" suggests maybe the warning systems or public awareness could have been stronger? Just a thought. Hope the recovery is swift.
K
Kavya N
My cousin is in Texas and said it's chaos. They're not used to this at all. Meanwhile, we're here planning picnics because Delhi finally has pleasant weather! The world feels upside down. Sending warmth and prayers to those affected. ❄️

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