A “historic” winter storm is currently unleashing chaos across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, leaving a trail of frigid temperatures, heavy snow, and widespread disruption. As of Sunday, January 25, 2026, a staggering 700,000 Americans are without power, with states like Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana bearing the brunt of over 100,000 outages each. New Mexico also saw significant power losses.
This monster storm, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures, prompted President Donald Trump to declare federal emergency disaster declarations in a dozen states, including South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. He urged citizens to “Stay safe, and stay warm,” a sentiment echoed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who advised everyone to “stock up on fuel, stock up on food.” In total, seventeen states and the District of Columbia have already declared weather emergencies, highlighting the storm’s severe impact.
Travel has been severely impacted, with nearly 10,000 U.S. flights canceled on Sunday alone, following over 4,000 cancellations on Saturday. Major airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and United have proactively canceled thousands of flights, advising passengers to expect further changes. Utility crews are working tirelessly to restore power, and electric grid operators are taking extraordinary measures, including emergency orders from the Department of Energy, to prevent further widespread blackouts.
The National Weather Service warns of “crippling to locally catastrophic impacts” from heavy ice accumulation in the Southeast and record cold temperatures in the Great Plains. As the nation battles this unprecedented winter event, vigilance and preparedness remain key for millions.
