A powerful US winter storm has claimed at least 38 lives across 14 states, leaving much of the central and eastern United States struggling with extreme cold, snow, and ice. The storm, which began developing late last week, disrupted daily life for millions and continues to pose serious risks as freezing temperatures linger.
Heavy snowfall and ice accumulation over the weekend caused major road accidents, widespread flight cancellations, and severe power outages. Although snowfall eased by Monday, the dangerous cold has remained. As of Tuesday, more than 550,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity, forcing cities to activate emergency response plans.
Local governments moved quickly to protect vulnerable populations, especially homeless residents. In New York City, where temperatures dropped to 8 degrees Fahrenheit, officials confirmed 10 storm-related deaths. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasised that extreme weather is not a personal failure and urged outreach teams to focus on moving people indoors rather than conducting routine data collection. Hundreds of people have already been transferred into shelters, with medical teams checking high-risk individuals every two hours.
In Nashville, Tennessee, officials described the situation as a historic ice storm. With temperatures expected to fall further and wind chills dropping below zero, all city shelters reached capacity. Emergency workers, police, and firefighters worked extended shifts to ensure no one was left exposed to the cold. Local charities reported a dramatic surge in people seeking warmth and shelter during the cold snap.
Across the country, storm-related deaths were linked to hypothermia, exposure, and cardiac incidents while clearing snow. Tragic accidents were also reported, including the deaths of three children who fell into an icy pond in Texas. Other fatalities were confirmed in states such as Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and South Carolina.
Meteorologists warn that nearly 200 million Americans remain under some form of winter cold alert until at least February 1. Weather experts are also monitoring another potential US winter storm that could impact eastern regions later this week, prolonging already dangerous conditions.
