Ice storm leaves 800,000 without power as deadly cold grips US South
A severe ice storm has left thousands of Americans without power or heat as freezing temperatures grip the southern and central US. In some areas, residents reported indoor temperatures dropping to just 10°C (50°F) after losing electricity. The outages come as forecasters warn of life-threatening cold, with temperatures expected to fall as low as -17°C (1°F) in places like Nashville.
The storm coated roads and trees in up to an inch of ice, causing widespread damage to power lines. By Monday midday, over 800,000 households nationwide were without electricity, including 150,000 in Nashville alone. Tennessee saw around 250,000 outages, while Mississippi and Louisiana reported 140,000 and 115,000 affected homes respectively.
Officials warned that restoring power could take up to 10 days in some communities. In Nashville, 47 warming centres were opened for those without heat, offering shelter and phone-charging stations. The crisis follows a large-scale animal rescue in Mississippi, where over 200 dogs were saved from a rural property just before the storm hit.
Temperatures across the region are forecast to remain well below freezing, raising concerns for vulnerable residents. Many households face prolonged cold exposure, with little immediate relief in sight.
The ice storm has left hundreds of thousands struggling in freezing conditions, with power restoration efforts stretching into next week. Nashville and other hard-hit areas continue to operate emergency shelters as the cold snap persists. Authorities urge residents to take precautions against the extreme temperatures while repairs remain underway.
