Winter storm updates: Dozens dead across US in wake of massive snowfall, deep freeze

Storm deaths were reported in the Northeast, the South and the Plains.

ByEmily Shapiro, David Brennan, and Bill Hutchinson

Last Updated: January 27, 2026, 4:41 PM EST

A deadly winter storm that brought massive snowfall across the U.S. knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people in the South and crippled travel in the Northeast.

Key Headlines

Jan 27, 2026, 4:16 PM EST
At least 42 dead across the US
Jan 27, 2026, 4:08 PM EST
46 child carbon monoxide exposure cases reported at Nashville hospital
Jan 27, 2026, 2:47 PM EST
Most flight cancellations in American Airlines history
Jan 27, 2026, 1:50 PM EST
More than 500,000 customers still without power

Here's how the news is developing.

Jan 24, 2026, 5:08 PM EST

National Guardsmen from 12 states are activated for Fern

Hundreds of National Guard troops from 12 states — with eight states on alert — have been activated for Winter Storm Fern, according to National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Steven Nordhaus.

He said the Guardsmen were "working tirelessly alongside interagency partners to clear roads, help stranded motorists and support communities in need" in a post on X.

Cars drive in the snow on Jan. 24, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200 million Americans.
Will Newton/Getty Images

In South Carolina, 220 Guardsmen have been called up for the response — in addition to 168 troops in Arkansas, about 100 in Maryland, roughly 180 in Missouri, and about 50 in Oklahoma.

-ABC News’ Christopher Boccia

Jan 24, 2026, 4:56 PM EST

Over 45,000 customers without power in Louisiana

Roughly 2% of power customers (45,325) across Louisiana are without service, according to Power Outage.US.

Impacts are concentrated in the northern part of the state with DeSoto (51%) and Ouachita (31%) counties affected more than others.

-ABC News’ Michael O’Keefe

Jan 24, 2026, 3:28 PM EST

Over 57,000 customers without power in Texas so far

Over 57,000 customers are without power Saturday afternoon in Texas amid the winter storm, according to Power Outage.US.

Jan 24, 2026, 2:23 PM EST

Sunday to be one of the worst travel days

Sunday will go down as one of the days with the most weather-related flight cancellations in U.S. aviation history with more than 8,000 flights already canceled for tomorrow.

American Airlines has cancelled 37% of its total flights. About 85% of flights at LaGuardia are already cancelled.