Winter Storm Fern Leaves 300,000 Without Power, Cancels 15,000+ Flights Across America
Breaking News Update: Sunday, January 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST
A massive winter storm is battering the United States from Texas to Maine, leaving nearly 300,000 Americans without electricity, stranding millions of travelers with over 15,000 canceled flights, and forcing 22 states to declare emergencies as catastrophic ice and snow paralyze the nation.
Latest Winter Storm Updates: Power Outages Surge Across Southern States
Winter Storm Fern continues to wreak havoc across 40 states, impacting approximately 245 million Americans in what meteorologists are calling one of the most widespread winter storms in U.S. history.
Current Power Outage Numbers (as of Sunday morning):
- Texas: 82,000+ customers in the dark
- Mississippi: 80,000+ outages reported
- Louisiana: 71,000+ homes and businesses without power
- Tennessee: 24,000+ customers affected
- New Mexico: 16,000+ outages confirmed
Total: 299,815 customers nationwide remain without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
Energy officials warn restoration could take days or even weeks in areas hardest hit by ice damage, with dangerous conditions hampering repair crews across the South.
President Trump Declares Federal Emergency for 12 States
President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations Saturday for South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.
“We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm,” Trump posted on social media, authorizing federal resources to support state and local emergency response.
At least 22 states have issued emergency declarations: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Washington, D.C., has also declared a state of emergency.
Flight Cancellations Hit Historic Levels: Over 15,000 Canceled
Sunday is shaping up to be one of the worst days for weather-related flight cancellations in years, with disruptions expected to continue through Monday and Tuesday.
Major Airport Cancellations:
- LaGuardia Airport (NYC): 85% of flights canceled
- Reagan National Airport (DC): 96% of flights grounded
- Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson: 1,040+ flights scrapped (690 Delta flights alone)
- Charlotte Douglas: 75%+ of flights canceled
- Dallas-Fort Worth: Three-quarters of departures canceled
American Airlines has canceled 37% of its total flights, making this one of the carrier’s largest operational disruptions in recent memory.
Travel Waivers: What Airlines Owe You
Major carriers including American, Delta, United, Southwest, and JetBlue have issued travel waivers allowing passengers to:
- Change flights at no cost
- Cancel and receive full refunds for significantly delayed or canceled flights
- Rebook without fare differences
- Modify basic economy tickets without penalties
Know Your Rights: Under DOT regulations, passengers are entitled to full refunds for domestic flights delayed 3+ hours or international flights delayed 6+ hours if they choose not to fly.
Catastrophic Ice Warning: National Weather Service Alerts 20+ States
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for “catastrophic” ice accumulation from the Lower Mississippi Valley through the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, threatening long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and impassable roads.
Expected Ice Accumulation:
- Up to 0.5 inches across Mid-Atlantic and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys
- Catastrophic buildup in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee
- Tree-damaging ice throughout the Southeast
Why This Matters: Half an inch of ice can snap power lines and topple trees. Just a quarter-inch adds 500 pounds of weight to power lines and branches.
Heavy Snow Forecast: Up to 18 Inches Expected in Northeast
While the South battles ice, the Northeast and Midwest are bracing for crippling snowfall that will make travel “hard to impossible.”
Snow Totals Predicted:
- New England: Up to 18 inches
- Ohio Valley: 12+ inches
- Mid-Atlantic: Heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain
- Northeast Corridor: Significant accumulations from Philadelphia to Boston
Boston could see its heaviest snowfall since February 2022. For New York City, this would be the most significant snow event since January 2022.
Records Already Broken:
- Little Rock, Arkansas: 6 inches (breaking a record from 1899)
- Farmington, New Mexico: 8 inches
- Topeka, Kansas: 4.9 inches
- Hays, Kansas: 6 inches
Dangerous Cold and Wind Chill Warnings Issued
Extreme temperature differences are creating dangerous conditions nationwide:
- Dallas: 21°F (far below normal)
- Upstate New York: -34°F (daily record)
- Fort Myers, Florida: 86°F
That’s a shocking 120-degree temperature difference across the United States.
Health Officials Warn of Frostbite and Hypothermia Risk
The Virginia Department of Health issued urgent warnings: “This storm isn’t just a weather event; it’s also a potentially serious health event. The extreme cold temperatures combined with wind chill make frostbite and hypothermia real concerns.”
Protect Yourself:
- Limit time outdoors
- Dress in layers
- Check on elderly neighbors
- Never use generators indoors (carbon monoxide danger)
- Install battery-operated CO detectors
Texas Power Grid Under Strain: Prices Skyrocket
Wholesale electricity prices in Texas surged to $1,500-$1,600 per megawatt-hour Saturday night—compared to normal prices around $44.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) declared an energy-emergency alert 2 early Saturday, indicating the grid faces energy shortages and needs to reduce demand.
Winter Storm Uri Flashback: The current storm evokes memories of February 2021’s deadly Winter Storm Uri, which killed at least 210 people in Texas and caused an estimated $195 billion in damage.
National Guard Deployed in 12 States
Hundreds of National Guard troops are assisting with emergency response:
- South Carolina: 220 members activated
- Missouri: 180 troops deployed
- Arkansas: 168 soldiers on standby
- Maryland: 100 troops activated
- Oklahoma: 50 members deployed
Road Conditions: Interstate Highways Become Ice Rinks
State transportation officials are reporting treacherous conditions with numerous accidents and impassable highways.
Major Impacts:
- Tennessee: At least one confirmed traffic fatality in Dyersburg
- Fort Worth Police: Responded to 150+ weather-related calls Saturday
- Interstate 20: Extremely hazardous through Texas and Louisiana
- Mississippi: Trees falling across roadways due to ice
Officials Urge: Stay home unless travel is absolutely essential. Road conditions won’t improve for 24-48 hours.
Schools, Businesses, and Government Offices Closed Monday
Closures Include:
- Thousands of schools from Texas to Maine
- Federal offices in Washington, D.C.
- State government offices in multiple states
- Texas Rangers Fan Fest postponed
- Early voting in NYC special elections canceled
- College basketball games across multiple conferences
Winter Storm Safety: Critical Tips to Stay Safe
If You Lose Power
Heating Safety:
- NEVER use generators, grills, or camp stoves indoors—fumes are deadly
- Position generators 20+ feet from windows, doors, or vents
- Keep space heaters 3 feet from drapes, furniture, or bedding
Food Safety:
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed
- Food stays safe 4 hours in a refrigerator
- Food stays safe 48 hours in a full freezer
- When in doubt, throw it out
Carbon Monoxide Warning: Watch for symptoms: headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion. Seek fresh air immediately if suspected.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Have on Hand:
- Flashlights and batteries
- Non-perishable food and water
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Phone chargers (charge devices now)
- First aid supplies
- Battery-operated CO detector
When Will Winter Storm Fern End?
Timeline:
- Sunday-Monday: Heavy snow continues in Ohio Valley to Northeast; catastrophic ice continues in South
- Monday-Tuesday: Precipitation gradually ends
- Through Early Next Week: Bitter cold hampers cleanup; dangerous conditions persist
Recovery Expectations:
- Power restoration: Days to weeks in heavily damaged areas
- Flight normalization: 3-5 days for airlines to fully recover
- Road clearing: Multiple days as cold prevents ice melting
Economic Impact: Billions in Losses Expected
Early estimates suggest Winter Storm Fern could cause billions in economic damage, including:
- Flight cancellations and travel disruptions
- Power outage damage and repairs
- Infrastructure repairs
- Emergency response costs
- Business closures and lost productivity
- Supply chain disruptions
For comparison, Winter Storm Uri in 2021 caused approximately $195 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
Storm Comparison: How Fern Ranks in History
Meteorologists are comparing Winter Storm Fern to the March 1993 “Storm of the Century”—a system that affected 26 states, killed 318 people, and caused $6.6 billion in damage.
“It is rare that storms combine this much snow, ice and bitter cold over such a large area,” said Evan Myers of AccuWeather. “A widespread travel-halting winter storm will stall daily life for days.”
State-by-State Breakdown: Regional Impacts
Texas
- 82,000+ without power
- Exxon Mobil shut down equipment at Baytown refinery
- Houston Mayor urges residents to prepare for extended outages
Louisiana
- 71,000+ customers in the dark
- Catastrophic ice accumulation in northern regions
- LNG export facilities reducing operations
Mississippi
- 80,000+ outages
- Oxford Utilities ceased operations due to unsafe conditions
- Trees “popping” under ice weight
Arkansas
- Little Rock’s 6 inches of snow breaks 1899 record
- $250,000 authorized from Disaster Response Fund
Georgia and Carolinas
- Atlanta airport: 1,040+ flights canceled
- Bracing for worst ice accumulation Sunday-Monday
Northeast Corridor
- New York MTA warns of subway, bus, rail disruptions
- Travel will be “hard to impossible” Sunday-Monday
- Federal offices in D.C. closed Monday
How to Get Help and Stay Informed
Emergency Resources
- Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies
- Call 211 for community resources
- Text “shelter” to 43362 (4FEMA) to find nearest shelter
- Contact local utility to report power outages
Stay Updated
- National Weather Service: weather.gov
- Power Outage Tracking: poweroutage.us
- Flight Status: flightaware.com
- FEMA: fema.gov
- American Red Cross: redcross.org
The Bottom Line
Winter Storm Fern represents one of the most expansive winter weather events in modern U.S. history. With nearly 300,000 without power, 15,000+ flights canceled, and conditions worsening before they improve, this storm demands maximum caution.
What You Should Do:
✓ Avoid all non-essential travel ✓ Prepare for extended power outages ✓ Check on vulnerable neighbors ✓ Follow local emergency management guidance ✓ Stay informed through official weather channels
As President Trump stated, this is a “historic” storm requiring historic patience and preparation from affected communities.
Stay safe. Stay warm. Stay informed.
Related News:
Social Connect
