PHOTO/VIDEO Flights cancelled, roads closed and hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. The US is facing a major winter storm
Houston, Texas, January 21, 2026. Credit: Chen Chen / Xinhua News / Profimedia
About 730,000 households in the US states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are affected by power outages due to the winter storm in the US, according to the website PowerOutage.us.
The authorities estimate that almost 190 million people, i.e. more than half of the US population, are at risk of facing problems due to one of the worst storms in recent years, according to dap, reports Agerpres.
BREAKING : Winter Storm Fern is hitting the US hard, impacting over 180 million people in more than 20 states, over 13,000 flights canceled, more than 160,000 without power (mostly in Texas and Louisiana), up to a foot of heavy snow and ice in some spots, and sadly, at least 3… pic.twitter.com/icfjGXw37P
— Dhruv Mishra (@DhruvMishra1607) January 25, 2026
The National Weather Service warned that the storm could stretch over an area of about 3,000 kilometers over the weekend, from New Mexico in the southwest to Maine in the northeast.
At the national level, 24 states have declared a state of emergency, according to Fox News, and the weather conditions have led to the cancellation of thousands of flights and road closures.
Meteorologist @JimCantore monitors snowfall rates close to 1 inch per hour in New York City as Winter Storm Fern brings a triple threat of snow, ice, and cold to the Northeast. Watch: pic.twitter.com/e0REhCFAzF
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) January 25, 2026
Local authorities say the ice deposits have created “extremely dangerous” travel conditions in some areas.
PURE ICE skating rink highway with crippling ice storm in Holly Springs, Mississippi with semi trucks stuck on hills. Ice accruing on trees as freezing rain intensifies! Ice storm coverage for @accuweather #icestorm #ice #winterstorm pic.twitter.com/8ua39E4D9U
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) January 25, 2026
In the context of the cold wave, the authorities urged citizens to stay indoors as much as possible and to leave their cars at home.
Washington DC Metro area right now with the snow/ice storm, from Arlington, VA @capitalweather @JoeMartinezTV pic.twitter.com/Hr8xvrRPWb
— Chris 🏛️ (@cdlavao) January 25, 2026
Washington residents were advised to have flashlights handy and charge their cellphones. In New York, centers have been opened in all five counties where residents can stay warm, according to NBC News. In Crested Butte, Colorado, the snowpack measures 58 inches. In some areas of Oklahoma it reached 20 centimeters, and in New Mexico and Texas it is about 30 and 15 centimeters, respectively.
Things are getting bad in Washington DC.
10AM and there's already about 3 feet of snow on the ground, with more on the way. pic.twitter.com/AB02Qi023l
— camol (@camolNFT) January 25, 2026
