New York City, New York — A significant winter storm has claimed at least 11 lives across the nation as of Monday, forcing officials to issue dire warnings against travel and leading to widespread flight cancellations and power outages that have affected thousands. The storm delivered a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to regions from Texas to New England, with dangerously low temperatures anticipated in the days ahead.
New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that five individuals were discovered dead outdoors over the weekend, emphasizing the brutal reality of the extreme cold. “There is no more powerful reminder of the danger of extreme cold,” he stated during a press briefing. In Texas, authorities are investigating three fatalities related to the storm, including a tragic incident that involved a 16-year-old girl who died in a sledding accident. Louisiana reported two additional deaths attributed to hypothermia, as confirmed by the state’s health department.
The impact of the storm has also been felt in Iowa, where one person died, and two others sustained injuries in a winter weather-related car accident on Saturday, according to the local State Patrol. As of Monday, more than 820,000 customers nationwide were reported to be without power, with the most severe outages concentrated in the South, where the storm has intensified.
In Tennessee, over 250,000 residential and commercial customers faced electricity disruptions, primarily due to fallen power lines caused by ice. In Louisiana and Mississippi, where these severe winter weather conditions are relatively rare, each state reported power outages affecting over 100,000 customers. The widespread outages are concerning, as the region grapples with perilous cold weather that the National Weather Service warns could break historic records.
Officials encouraged residents across multiple states, including Texas, North Carolina, and New York, to prioritize safety and remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. The Texas Emergency Management Division urged people to refrain from driving under the treacherous conditions, echoing sentiments shared by authorities elsewhere.
As the storm makes its way toward the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, areas in Toronto are already seeing record snowfall. In response to the storm’s severity, at least 20 states and the District of Columbia have declared states of emergency.
Travelers faced significant disruptions as major airlines canceled hundreds of flights, with airports grappling to manage the fallout as the storm continued to affect various regions. Amid these challenges, local officials stressed the importance of staying informed and prepared as the inclement weather persists.