Winter Storm Leaves 35 Dead, 3 Texas Boys Drown in Icy Pond

Widespread power outages continue as another storm threatens the East Coast

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:15am

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A deadly winter storm has claimed at least 35 lives across the country, including three young brothers who drowned after falling through an icy pond in Texas. Hundreds of thousands remain without power, mainly in the South, where ice storms caused widespread damage. Forecasters warn another winter storm could hit parts of the East Coast this weekend.

Why it matters

The severe winter weather has had devastating impacts, with loss of life, power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, and damage to homes and infrastructure. As climate change drives more extreme weather events, understanding the human toll and preparing communities for these types of storms is crucial.

The details

The winter storm has been particularly brutal in the South, where freezing rain caused widespread power outages and damage. In Mississippi, at least 14 homes and 20 public roads suffered major damage. The University of Oxford campus remained coated in treacherous ice, leading to class cancellations for the entire week. In Nashville, some residents lost power and had to layer up with clothes and blankets as temperatures plummeted inside their homes.

  • The winter storm hit parts of the South over the weekend.
  • As of Tuesday morning, there were still 550,000 power outages nationwide, mostly in the South.
  • Forecasters say another winter storm could hit the East Coast this weekend.

The players

Tate Reeves

The governor of Mississippi, who said at least 14 homes and 20 public roads had major damage in the aftermath of the state's worst ice storm since 1994.

Nathan Hoffner

A Nashville resident who had to send his 4-year-old son to stay with the child's mother after losing power in his rental home, and then had to layer up with clothes and blankets overnight as the temperature inside dropped dramatically.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Forecasters say it's possible another winter storm could hit parts of the East Coast this weekend, so officials and residents in those areas will need to monitor the situation and prepare accordingly.

The takeaway

The devastating impacts of this winter storm, including loss of life, widespread power outages, and damage to homes and infrastructure, highlight the urgent need for communities to be better prepared for extreme weather events driven by climate change. As these types of storms become more frequent and severe, a coordinated response and long-term resilience planning will be crucial.