The severe winter storm that swept the United States last week, known as Winter Storm Fern, has already claimed 9 lives across five states and left hundreds of thousands of people without power.
At a Glance
- 9 deaths in five states: Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Texas.
- 830,000 homes and businesses lost power due to ice-laden lines.
- Flight cancellations: 12,000 on Sunday and an additional 3,500 expected on Monday.
- 5 deaths reported in New York City, with investigations ongoing.
- 28-year-old teacher Rebecca Rauber found dead in Kansas.
- Why it matters: The storm’s impact is still unfolding, affecting daily life, safety, and infrastructure across the country.
First responders assess a downed power line in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 25.
Impact Across the Country
The storm’s reach was wide, touching the Central and Southern Plains, the Northeast, and the Great Lakes region. In total, 830,000 homes and businesses lost power as ice brought down lines. The loss of electricity has disrupted heating, water, and communication services in many communities.
New York City Tragedy
Five people were found dead in New York City on Jan. 24, and officials are still investigating whether the winter conditions caused their deaths. “It is still too early to say what the cause of death was for any of the five of them,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a news conference on Jan. 25. “And it seems at this moment that we do not think any of them were homeless.”
“We mourn the loss of any and every New Yorker,” he continued, “and we are keeping those five New Yorkers in our thoughts, as well as their friends and their family.”
Power Outages
The ice-laden lines that fell across the country have left millions without power. In Tennessee alone, power outages were reported in several counties, prompting first responders to work around the clock to restore service. The sheer volume of outages has stretched utility crews thin, with many residents waiting days for repairs.
Transportation Disruptions
Air travel was heavily affected, with 12,000 flights canceled on Sunday and more than 3,500 cancellations anticipated on Monday, according to NBC. Ground transportation also suffered, with several major city transit lines struggling to relaunch after the storm. Schools across the region closed on Monday, Jan. 26, adding to the logistical challenges.
Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service warned that the cold air behind the storm will prolong dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts. “Sub-zero low temperatures are expected nearly every morning from the Northern Plains through the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast,” the agency said. A front will bring lake-effect snow to the Great Lakes region through Jan. 27.
Remembering Rebecca Rauber
In Kansas, an elementary school is mourning a beloved teacher. The 28-year-old Rebecca Rauber was found dead on Jan. 25 after missing from a bar in Emporia, Kan., late on Friday night, according to the Emporia Police Department. Her body was discovered covered in snow in a nearby wooded area two days later, and officials suspect hypothermia.
The tragedy highlights the human cost of the storm, as communities across the country grapple with loss and recovery.
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Key Takeaways
- Winter Storm Fern has claimed 9 lives and left 830,000 homes without power.
- Flight cancellations and transportation disruptions are widespread.
- Weather forecasts predict continued sub-zero temperatures and lake-effect snow.
- The human toll includes the loss of teacher Rebecca Rauber and five New Yorkers.
The storm’s full impact will unfold as recovery efforts continue and weather conditions evolve.
