The 12 cities that will see ‘catastrophic’ damage by crippling US winter storm: Live updates

By ALYSSA GUZMAN, US NEWS REPORTER and RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and SOPHIE GABLE, US REPORTER

Updated:

At least three people have died in New York City due to extreme cold as Winter Storm Fern heads toward the Big Apple. 

The NYPD confirmed that two people were discovered dead in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan on Saturday morning. 

They are believed to have died from weather-related conditions. 

One was a man in his 30s who was found near an outdoor staircase in Brooklyn. A woman believed to be in her 60s was found in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn. 

A 67-year-old man was discovered on Third Avenue in Manhattan as well, police said. 

Temperatures were below zero heading into Saturday morning, as New York braces for up to 18 inches of snow and brutally low temperatures. 

This comes as President Donald Trump declares emergencies in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. 

‘We are working closely with FEMA, Governors, and State Emergency Management teams to ensure the safety of everybody. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!’ he wrote on Truth Social.  

A 2,300-mile ‘icemaggedon’ is set to bring treacherous conditions across the country, with New York, Boston, and Oklahoma City expected to see the most snow. 

More than 200 million Americans are under a threat as Winter Storm Fern barrels through 35 states and Washington DC this weekend. 

Millions of Americans have been advised to take precautions and avoid traveling this weekend as meteorologists predict heavy snow and frigid temperatures. 

Follow along for the latest updates.

This live blog has now closed.

Trump declares emergencies in 10 states

President Donald Trump has declared emergencies in 10 states.

The states are: Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.

This comes as more than 20 states have declared emergencies as Winter Storm Fern rips through the US this weekend.

‘Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!’ the Republican wrote. ‘We are working closely with FEMA, Governors, and State Emergency Management teams to ensure the safety of everybody.’

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos for Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

At least three people dead in NYC due to weather ahead of Winter Storm Fern

At least three people between the ages of 30 and 67 were found dead in Manhattan and Brooklyn on Saturday morning.

They are believed to have died from weather-related conditions.

A man and a woman were found separately in Brooklyn, while a man was discovered in Manhattan.

Temperatures were below freezing heading into Saturday as the Big Apple prepares for Winter Storm Fern to dump up to 18 inches on the concrete jungle.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Deccio Serrano/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (16431023l) Hundreds of New Yorkers experience low temperatures in New York, United States, on January 24, 2026. A winter storm is expected early Sunday morning, bringing severe cold with temperatures around -10 ?C (14 ?F), while lows drop to -14 ?C (7 ?F). Cold Weather In New York, United States - 24 Jan 2026

Two women in New York City were seen bundled up ahead of the storm after three bodies were found in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Some flights are still taking off, despite dismal conditions

A Southwest flight was pictured taking off from Nashville, Tennessee, despite the rough condition and poor visibility on Saturday.

The Southern state is estimated to get up to six inches of snow this weekend.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 24: A southwest flight takes off at Nasvhille International Airport as snow falls on January 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. A massive winter storm is expected to bring frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to millions of Americans across the nation. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Regions of US that will see thunder ice

Parts of the South, Midwest, and Southeast will see thunder ice, thunder sleet, and thunder snow, according to the Washington Post.

The rare phenomenon occurs when lightning and thunder occur during a snowstorm.

Nearly 133,000 without power

Nearly 133,000 Americans are without power due to Winter Storm Fern, according to PowerOutage.us.

The majority of those affected live in Texas, with 61,600 residents without electricity.

Louisiana follows with nearly 30,000 people, and New Mexico with 10,000.

New York City could see two inches of snow per hour

The Big Apple is expected to be one of the hardest hit areas during Winter Storm Fern and could see up to two inches of snow per hour, according to NBC New York.

Manhattan is at a 94 percent chance of getting six inches of snow and at a 48 percent chance of getting up to 12 inches, the National Weather Service predicted.

JFK Airport is at a 90 percent chance of getting six inches, and a 60 percent chance of getting a foot.

LaGuardia Airport is almost guaranteed to get at least six inches, with a 92 percent chance of 12 inches.

Across the river, in Hoboken and Newark, New Jersey, residents will more than likely at least six inches of snow.

Little Rock breaks 127-year snow record

Little Rock broke a nearly 130-year snow record on Saturday after six inches of the powdery mix fell on the city.

The previous record was four inches in 1899.

Arkansas Governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, declared a state of emergency.

The storm has also broken another record for the highest number of counties simultaneously under a winter storm warning.

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - JANUARY 24: A person's car is stuck in the snow on January 24, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200 million Americans. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - JANUARY 24: Workers move snow at the Arkansas State Capitol on January 24, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200 million Americans. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Tennessee cop warns drivers to avoid the roads

Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Ellis warns drivers that stopping a vehicle on the current road conditions can be very difficult and dangerous.

‘Going isn’t the problem – stopping is,’ he said in a video. ‘Please don’t test these roads.’

He showed thick ice on the roadway and his car, as well as snow on the ground.

The Southern state has declared an emergency.

Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow this weekend.

21 states have declared a state of emergency

Ohio joins the 20 other states to declare an emergency as Winter Storm Fern continues to barrel through the US.

Governor Mike Dewine ‘proactively declared’ an emergency ‘due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring to our state this weekend.’

‘I continue to encourage everyone to stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to be out,’ he wrote on X.

Sep 10, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks of the concerns surrounding an influx of 15,000 Haitian immigrants into Springfield, Ohio. He spoke at a news conference Sept. 10, 2024 at the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters, 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus.

More than 11,000 flights canceled

More than 11,300 flights have been canceled in the US across Saturday and Sunday as the country braces for a massive storm, which began on Friday.

American Airlines has canceled nearly 1,000 flights on Saturday, followed by Southwest with nearly 600.

Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte remain the most affected areas in the country.

More than 100,000 Americans without power

More than 100,000 Americans are without power as Winter Storm Fern rampages across the US.

The majority of outages are in Texas, where 54,500 people have been cut off, followed by New Mexico at nearly 12,000 homes, according to PowerOutage.us.

Officials are worried about blackouts.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whose state faced deadly blackouts in 2021, assured his constituents that the Lone Star State’s power grid has ‘never been stronger’ or ‘more prepared’.

FILE - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the media following a bill signing as Texas senators debate a bill on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

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