In the midst of subfreezing temperatures and widespread power outages across the South, conditions were worsening as vehicles became stranded on major highways, and residents faced dwindling supplies of essential resources. Mississippi deployed snowplows and National Guard troops to clear gridlocked interstates, while tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without power. Emergency officials were reporting a surge of desperate calls from people running low on food, water, and medication. Forecasters predicted the cold weather would persist, with potential for heavy snowfall in the Carolinas and Virginia.
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In Bonham, Texas, three young brothers, ages 6, 8, and 9, tragically died after falling into an icy pond during a severe winter storm. Their mother recounted how she jumped in to try and save them but was unable to, witnessing them struggle in the freezing water. First responders and a neighbor attempted to rescue the children, but ultimately, all three succumbed to the frigid temperatures. The local school district, which the boys attended, was closed due to the extreme weather conditions, and the community is mourning the unimaginable loss.
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The Associated Press reports a minimum of 29 fatalities across the United States due to a recent winter storm. The deaths resulted from various causes, including a sledding accident in Texas, hypothermia in Austin, and an ATV accident in Arkansas. Snow removal led to fatalities in Pennsylvania and New York, with additional deaths reported in Massachusetts, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kansas, Ohio, and South Carolina. Officials are urging caution during snow removal, especially for those with health concerns.
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A major winter storm is causing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow across the nation, leading to a surge in electricity demand and prices, particularly in areas with large data center concentrations. Real-time wholesale electricity prices in Dominion Energy’s Virginia territory, home to the world’s largest data center cluster, spiked dramatically on Sunday. The PJM Interconnection grid anticipates a record winter demand, fueled in part by data center needs, which could further strain the power grid. Consequently, disruptions to local power lines have resulted in nearly 900,000 customers without power on Sunday, with widespread outages across multiple states.
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A massive winter storm has brought heavy snow, ice, and frigid temperatures across the US, resulting in at least seven deaths and leaving over one million people without power. The storm prompted emergency declarations in numerous states, with the National Weather Service predicting heavy ice accumulation in the southeast. Over 10,000 flights were cancelled on Sunday, marking the highest cancellation event since the pandemic. The Department of Energy has issued emergency orders to mitigate potential blackouts in affected states as airlines warned of ongoing disruptions.
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In response to the dire situation in Ukraine, Poland is sending substantial aid to help Ukrainians cope with the winter freeze and ongoing Russian attacks. The Polish government has ordered the delivery of 379 power generators and 18 heating units from its strategic reserves, with shipments commencing immediately. Additionally, the city of Warsaw is dispatching 90 generators to Kyiv, and a public fundraiser has raised almost 7 million zloty (€1.7 million) to purchase more equipment for Ukrainians. This aid comes as Ukraine faces freezing temperatures and widespread power outages due to deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure.
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US storm leaves 160,000 without power, forces thousands of flight cancellations – that’s the headline, and let’s dive right in. The situation is pretty dire, with a massive winter storm barreling across the United States, bringing a cocktail of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This isn’t just your average winter weather; we’re talking about a “monster” storm, one that’s already wreaking havoc and threatening to cripple large swaths of the country.
The impact is immediately visible in the staggering number of power outages. Over 160,000 electricity customers are in the dark, stretching as far west as Texas. The bulk of these outages are concentrated in Louisiana and Texas, but as the storm progresses, the affected areas are expanding.… Continue reading
Amidst a severe winter storm, FEMA has reversed its decision to terminate hundreds of disaster workers whose contracts were expiring. This temporary halt, communicated via email, comes after Homeland Security officials met to discuss storm preparations. The agency has been undergoing significant overhauls that include staff reductions and potential future shifts in responsibility to state governments. These cuts have already led to a reduction of approximately 2,000 FEMA employees since 2024, raising concerns about the strain on resources during times of crisis.
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In response to a major winter storm expected to affect millions, FEMA has halted the termination of disaster workers whose contracts were expiring. This decision, communicated to staff, follows the recent layoff of approximately 300 disaster workers at the start of the year. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees FEMA, has been briefed on preparations and coordinated with state and local partners. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, along with dangerously cold temperatures, prompting FEMA to activate its National Response Coordination Center and deploy resources to multiple states, including Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, with call center support available.
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A significant winter storm is set to impact a large portion of the United States, bringing with it a combination of snow, sleet, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. The storm, originating from a low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico meeting cold Arctic air, is expected to produce hazardous conditions including potential for crippling ice accumulations. Millions of people across the country are under watches, warnings, and alerts, and numerous states have declared states of emergency in anticipation of the severe weather. FEMA is pre-positioning supplies and deploying personnel to assist with the response, while residents are advised to prepare by stocking up on essential items and staying informed about the evolving conditions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood