Powerful Storm Threatens East Coast with Heavy Snow, Winds, and Flooding

Parts of the Southeast unaccustomed to blizzards brace for up to a foot of snow as the storm moves up the coast.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A powerful winter storm is bearing down on the East Coast, bringing howling winds, heavy snow, and flooding to areas more used to hurricanes than blizzards. Forecasters warn of blizzard conditions, with up to a foot of snow expected in parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, and northeast Georgia. Temperatures are plummeting, leaving tens of thousands without power, and the frigid cold is expected to reach as far south as Florida.

Why it matters

This powerful storm is hitting areas that are ill-equipped to handle heavy snowfall and subfreezing temperatures, raising concerns about public safety, power outages, and damage to infrastructure and property. The storm's impacts could be widespread, affecting millions across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The details

The storm is expected to bring howling winds, heavy snow, and flooding to the East Coast, including in coastal communities like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which is more accustomed to hurricanes than blizzards. Forecasters warn of blizzard conditions on Saturday night and early Sunday, with up to a foot of snow possible in parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, and northeast Georgia. The frigid cold is expected to reach as far south as Florida, and more than 170,000 homes and businesses are already without power, mostly in Mississippi and Tennessee.

  • The storm is expected to hit the East Coast on Saturday.
  • Blizzard conditions are forecast for Saturday night and early Sunday.
  • The storm is expected to move out to sea by Sunday.

The players

Mark Kruea

The mayor of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a city that is more accustomed to hurricanes than blizzards and has no snow removal equipment.

Bill Lee

The governor of Tennessee, who expressed concerns about the response of the Nashville Electric Service to power outages caused by the storm.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must use what we can find.”

— Mark Kruea, Mayor of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

“Residents need a clear timeline for power restoration, transparency on the number of linemen deployed, and a better understanding of when work will be completed in their neighborhood.”

— Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This powerful winter storm is testing the resilience of communities across the East Coast, particularly those in the Southeast that are unaccustomed to dealing with heavy snow and subfreezing temperatures. The storm's impacts could be widespread, underscoring the need for better preparation and response efforts to protect public safety and critical infrastructure.