World News
Deadly US Winter Storm Leaves 8 Lakh Without Power; Residents Say ‘Area Looks Like a War Zone’
A massive winter storm that battered large parts of the United States with crippling ice in the South and heavy snowfall in the Northeast has left widespread destruction in its wake, with more than 8,00,000 power outages reported nationwide on Monday.
A massive winter storm that battered large parts of the United States with crippling ice in the South and heavy snowfall in the Northeast has left widespread destruction in its wake, with more than 8,00,000 power outages reported nationwide on Monday.
Although the storm has begun moving out to sea, thousands of families are still without electricity, heating, and water. Authorities have warned that temperatures will plunge well below freezing, worsening conditions for affected residents.
According to poweroutage.com, the worst-hit regions include Nashville (Tennessee) with over 1.5 lakh outages, Mississippi with around 1.4 lakh, and Louisiana with 1.15 lakh homes still without electricity.
‘It sounds like a war zone’
Residents described terrifying scenes overnight as ice-laden trees and power lines collapsed.
Adrian Ronca-Hohn, a 23-year-old football coach from Mississippi, said the situation felt catastrophic.
“It looks like a war zone. We couldn’t go 10 seconds without hearing trees snapping. It sounded like gunshots — then crashes everywhere,” he said.
Many people, especially those living in poorly insulated mobile homes, are struggling to cope without heating as temperatures are expected to drop to 1°F (-17°C) in some areas.
Storm by the numbers
The storm’s impact has been staggering:
- 8,00,000+ total power outages nationwide
- 1 inch of ice recorded across several southern states
- 6.7 inches of sleet in Little Rock, Arkansas
- 22.2 inches of snow in Sterling, Massachusetts
- 10 days estimated for power restoration in some Kentucky communities
- 47 warming centres opened in Nashville
- 2.44 lakh customers without power in Tennessee alone
In Mississippi’s Oxford city, indoor temperatures dropped to just 50°F (10°C) inside homes without electricity.
Marshall Ramsey, a local resident, described the storm as:
“A demonic symphony of trees breaking and transformers exploding.”
Rescue efforts underway
Emergency crews are working round-the-clock to restore power and clear debris. Animal welfare groups also stepped in, rescuing over 200 dogs from rural areas before the storm hit.
Officials have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid travel, and use warming shelters until conditions stabilise.
The storm is being described as one of the worst winter weather events in recent years, with recovery expected to take days — or even weeks — in severely affected regions.
