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.

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

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 25, 2026, 5:38 AM EST

Nearly 300,000 without power across US

At least 299,815 customers were without power across the U.S. as of early on Sunday morning, according to data from PowerOutage.us.

A vehicle moves westbound on Interstate-20 during a snowstorm on Jan. 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.
Julio Cortez/AP

The worst-affected state was Texas, where more than 82,000 customers were without power. More than 80,000 customers in Mississippi were also without power, the online tracker said.

Also without power were more than 71,000 customers in Louisiana, more than 24,000 customers in Tennessee and more than 16,000 customers in New Mexico.

-ABC News' Juwon Funes

Jan 24, 2026, 12:09 AM EST

At least 20 states declare state of emergency

At least 20 states have declared a state of emergency as the storm nears: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Washington, D.C., has also declared a state of emergency.

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

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