Tragic Winter Storm Claims Two Lives in U.S.

(MENAFN) A catastrophic winter storm has claimed at least seven lives across the United States as arctic conditions continue battering the nation through Monday, with fatalities reported in Louisiana and New York City.

Louisiana authorities confirmed two hypothermia deaths, while officials in New York City are investigating five additional fatalities potentially linked to the extreme weather. The victims were discovered Saturday across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, local media outlets reported.

The deadly storm system—driven by a massive arctic air mass—has been hammering regions from the Central and Southern Plains through the East Coast since Friday. Operations will persist through Monday as conditions remain dangerous.

Power grid failures have left over 1 million customers in darkness, according to PowerOutagedata. Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana are experiencing the most severe electrical disruptions.

The transportation sector faces unprecedented chaos, with more than 30,000 flights disrupted nationwide. Twenty-one states have declared States of Emergency, Fox Weather confirmed.

Nearly 200 million Americans currently face some form of winter weather alert as the storm carves a 2,300-mile path of destruction across the country. The event has shattered records for the highest number of U.S. counties ever placed simultaneously under winter storm warnings.

Responding to the escalating crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration on Saturday covering 10 states in the storm's path.

MENAFN26012026000045017169ID1110648877