Winter storm moves out, but the danger remains: hundreds of thousands without power as temperatures plunge

A storm that won’t let go

The enormous winter system that blasted a huge stretch of the United States is finally sliding offshore, yet much of the country is still dealing with the most dangerous phase: the cleanup in extreme cold. In the South, thick ice snapped tree limbs and power lines, while the Northeast saw deep snow and hazardous travel, creating a multi-day emergency for utilities, local governments and families trying to stay warm.

Power outages remained widespread on Monday, January 26, 2026, with hundreds of thousands of customers in the dark across multiple states. In hard-hit parts of Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana, damage from ice accumulation has complicated repairs and raised fears that restoration could take days in some communities, especially where high-voltage transmission lines were damaged. Cities and counties opened warming centers and urged residents to avoid travel on ice-coated roads while the temperature dropped again overnight.

Deaths, disruptions and a long recovery

The storm’s toll has extended well beyond power failures. Authorities have reported at least two dozen deaths tied to the weather, from crashes and exposure to winter accidents such as falls, snow-related mishaps and other cold-weather emergencies. Air travel also took a major hit, with thousands of flights canceled or delayed as the system crossed major population centers and hub airports.

Even as snowfall tapered in some areas, lingering ice and record or near-record cold kept conditions dangerous. Officials warned that in places where electric heat is common, extended outages can quickly become life-threatening. Emergency management agencies emphasized checking on neighbors, conserving phone batteries, and using generators and alternative heating sources safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

What to watch next

• Restoration timelines: utilities cautioned that repairs could take longer in rural areas and where transmission infrastructure was heavily damaged.
• A renewed cold snap: forecasters warned that subfreezing temperatures could refreeze meltwater and worsen driving conditions.
• Shelter capacity: local governments expanded warming centers and asked residents to seek help early rather than waiting for conditions to deteriorate.

With the storm’s center now moving out to sea, responders are shifting from emergency rescues to a sustained recovery effort—one that may last well into the week in the most battered ice zones.