A powerful winter storm sweeping across large parts of the United States has killed at least 11 people, disrupted air travel nationwide and left millions without electricity, as freezing temperatures continue to grip the country.
The massive storm system brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across a wide stretch of the US, from the South and Midwest to the Northeast. Weather officials warned that the worst may not yet be over, as an Arctic air mass trailing the storm is expected to push temperatures dangerously low for several days.
According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), severe winter conditions were expected to persist into early this week, prolonging disruptions to daily life and increasing risks for vulnerable populations.
At the height of the storm on Sunday, more than one million homes and businesses across at least eight states β from Texas to the Carolinas β were without electricity. Southern states, which are less accustomed to prolonged cold and icy conditions, were among the hardest hit.
In Tennessee, ice accumulation brought down power lines, leaving more than 300,000 customers without electricity. Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia each reported over 100,000 outages, raising concerns as temperatures dropped further overnight.
The storm also caused major disruptions to air travel. Flight-tracking services reported that over 19,000 flights into, out of and within the United States had been cancelled since Saturday, stranding travellers and compounding holiday-season delays at major airports.
Authorities confirmed three deaths in Texas, including a 16-year-old girl who died in a sledding accident. In Louisiana, the state health department reported that two people died from hypothermia.
In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said five people were found dead outdoors over the weekend amid freezing temperatures. While officials did not formally confirm the deaths were caused by the storm, Mamdani warned that extreme cold poses a serious threat.
βThere is no more powerful reminder of the danger of extreme cold,β he told reporters.
Emergency authorities from Texas to North Carolina and New York urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.
βStay off the roads unless absolutely necessary,β Texasβs Emergency Management Division posted on social media, warning of icy highways and poor visibility.
The storm system continued moving northeast, dumping snow and sleet on densely populated cities including Philadelphia, New York and Boston, complicating commuting and emergency response efforts.
Meteorologists warned that the lingering cold could set temperature records, particularly across the southern US. Power outages remain especially dangerous as households struggle to stay warm without heating during prolonged freezing conditions.
Officials emphasized that the combination of icy roads, bitter cold and strained infrastructure could remain hazardous for days, urging residents to follow weather updates and safety advisories closely.
