A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has left hundreds of thousands of customers without electricity, disrupted travel nationwide, and claimed at least 19 lives, according to confirmed reports from multiple states.
The sprawling storm system, which brought a dangerous mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and extreme cold, impacted more than half of the U.S. population at its peak. Forecasters warned that recovery efforts may take days as frigid temperatures slow ice melt and worsen already hazardous conditions.
Power outages remained widespread Monday night across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and parts of the Northeast, with more than 500,000 customers still in the dark. Emergency officials cautioned residents to stay off roads where possible, as refreezing ice continues to make travel treacherous.
Fatalities and Emergency Declarations
Authorities confirmed storm-related deaths in Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kansas, Mississippi, New York City, and New York state, with causes ranging from traffic accidents to exposure and snow-clearing incidents.
President Donald Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for more than a dozen states, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency pre-positioned rescue teams, generators, and supplies in anticipation of prolonged outages and dangerous cold.
