A “monster” winter storm of unprecedented intensity has, essentially, brought the United States to a standstill this weekend. Over more than 2,000 miles running from New Mexico to New England, the system called Winter Storm Fern has prompted emergency declarations in more than 20 states and rendered nearly a million residents without power as record cold patterns have set in.
Never A Wilder Thing To See in A World of Flight Away
The industry has faced its biggest disturbance since the 2020 pandemic. Over 14,000 flights have been canceled in the weekend, flight-tracking data shows. Sunday Peak: More than 11,000 flights cancelled over a single Sunday and major hubs including Ronald Reagan National (DCA), LaGuardia (LGA) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) seeing roughly 80-90% of their flights canceled.
Additional Consequences
More than 2,000 flights are canceled already Monday, January 26, as the airlines rush to de-ice planes and reposition crews. Widespread Public Safety Issues and Infrastructure DamageAs of Monday morning, customers without power reached near the 1 million level. The storm’s “catastrophic ice accumulation” has been more damaging than the snow: Tree limbs and key transmission lines have been destroyed.
| State | Approximate Outages | Primary Cause |
| Tennessee | 335,000+ | Heavy ice and snapped lines |
| Mississippi | 178,000+ | Tree damage & freezing rain |
| Louisiana | 145,000+ | Sub-zero grid strain |
| Texas | 100,000+ | Ice accumulation & backup generation use |
Record-Breaking Cold and Fatalities
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the threat is far too intense to be over. The “Polar Vortex” dip has brought dangerous temperatures to the eastern two-thirds of the country.
- New York: At least five deaths in New York City occurred over the weekend because of the plunging temperatures.
- Louisiana: Two hypothermic deaths in Caddo Parish.
- Record lows: In New York State, Watertown recorded an alarming -34°F (-37°C), while some parts of North Texas set record low highs of just 19 degrees Fahrenheit
Government response
US President Donald Trump has signed national emergency disaster declarations for almost a dozen states, including South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. “ Throughout the period, we will continue to be monitoring and keeping all States in contact … Stay Safe and Stay Warm,” the president wrote on Truth Social. Millions of ready-made meals and liters of water, along with 180 generators, have been prepared in advance for states where the ice is paralyzing such road conditions.
