Deadly Winter Storm Leaves Over 30 Dead Across U.S.
A powerful winter storm that swept across large parts of the United States over the weekend has left more than 30 people dead, with authorities warning that dangerous conditions are far from over.
In New Jersey, Verona police said a 67-year-old man was found unresponsive with a snow shovel still in his hand. Officers confirmed his death Monday but have not yet released his identity. Officials believe strenuous shoveling and extreme cold played a role in multiple fatalities reported nationwide.
The storm, known as Winter Storm Fern, began impacting the South and Plains on Friday before moving east through Sunday night. It brought a mix of snow, ice, and freezing rain, creating treacherous travel conditions and widespread power outages. As of Tuesday morning, more than 525,000 customers remained without electricity, with major outages reported in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The National Weather Service warned that brutal cold will persist throughout the week, with wind chills dropping as low as minus 50 degrees in parts of the country. Forecasters also cautioned that another significant winter storm could develop by the weekend, compounding already dangerous conditions.
Cities across the country are struggling to recover. Pittsburgh declared a state of emergency after dozens of snowplows broke down overnight, crippling snow removal efforts. In New York City, officials said at least eight people were found dead outdoors during the cold snap, though investigations into their causes of death are ongoing.
Several deaths were tied directly to storm-related incidents. In Kansas, police found a 28-year-old teacher dead after she reportedly left a bar without a coat or phone. Two people were killed when snowplows backed into them in separate incidents in Massachusetts and Ohio. Teenagers in Arkansas and Texas died in sledding accidents, and a University of Michigan student was found dead after walking alone in freezing conditions.
Elsewhere, falling trees, carbon monoxide exposure, and structural hazards contributed to the toll. In Mississippi, a man died when an ice-laden tree limb crashed through his roof. In Louisiana, an elderly man was found dead in his home from suspected generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning.
Travel disruptions have been widespread. More than 7,500 flights were delayed and over 6,000 were canceled Monday, with additional cancellations reported Tuesday morning. Federal officials say air travel is expected to stabilize by midweek, weather permitting.
Meteorologists continue to urge the public to avoid unnecessary travel, limit outdoor exposure, and take precautions against hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning as another wave of extreme cold threatens much of the country.
