Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Southern US as New York Stays Resilient

From Texas to Tennessee, a once-in-a-decade freeze leaves millions without power. Meanwhile, New York's snow-clearing strategy proves why experience matters in extreme weather.

, and ASMedia

2026 January 30 . 5:17 AM

2 min read

The image shows a city street with cars and trucks driving down it, surrounded by snow on the... — The image shows a city street with cars and trucks driving down it, surrounded by snow on the ground, poles, lights, boards, traffic signals, wires, trees, buildings with windows, and a sky with clouds in the background.

Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Southern US as New York Stays Resilient

A severe winter storm has swept across the United States, bringing record-low temperatures and heavy snowfall to regions unaccustomed to such conditions. In some areas, thermometers dropped to minus 10 degrees Celsius, with wind chill making it feel closer to minus 20, causing widespread disruption and panic.

The storm struck hardest in the southern states, particularly Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Ice storms knocked out power for over a million households, with some facing outages that could last weeks. Fatalities were reported, especially among homeless individuals unable to find shelter from the freezing conditions.

Residents in these areas, where snowfall occurs only once every five to ten years, rushed to stock up on essentials. Many stores remained open, but cafes and restaurants shut their doors as people stayed indoors to avoid treacherous roads. Truck drivers, including Yekaterina from Belarus, struggled with hazardous conditions, with some vehicles ending up in crashes.

In New York City, authorities managed snow clearance efficiently despite the city's size and heavy traffic. The approach contrasted with smaller towns, where snow removal was less systematic. For example, in Homiel, snow clearing was once a collective effort, with workshops and departments assigned specific areas. Now, even in cities, sidewalk clearing is often limited to small, designated patches.

The unusual weather left many unprepared. While New York coped well, southern states faced chaos, highlighting the stark differences in infrastructure and experience with winter storms.

The storm has exposed vulnerabilities in regions unaccustomed to extreme cold, particularly in the southern US. With power outages persisting and roads remaining dangerous, recovery efforts will take time. Meanwhile, cities like New York have demonstrated how preparedness can mitigate the worst effects of severe winter weather.