From January 23–27, 2026, a powerful winter storm swept across North America, bringing blizzard conditions, historic snowfall, and life‑threatening cold to millions.
The storm unleashed dangerous snow, ice, and freezing temperatures from northern Mexico through the central United States and into Canada. Stretching over 2,000 miles, the storm caused widespread disruption to daily life, travel, and emergency services — leaving millions to endure bitter cold and prolonged outages.
As of early February, at least 153 people have died, making it one of the deadliest winter storms in U.S. history. Causes of death include hypothermia, car accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, and falls on ice.
More than 1 million people lost power, some for multiple days. Airlines cancelled over 10,000 flights, and road closures isolated rural communities across the South and Midwest. Shelters in cities like Dallas, Chicago, and Detroit were overwhelmed, and emergency crews struggled to reach those stranded or without heat.
The storm exposes deep inequities in access to warmth, shelter, and safety. For the elderly, chronically ill, unhoused, and low-income households, the storm’s impact was not just inconvenient — it was life-threatening. In parts of Appalachia and the Plains, residents reported running out of fuel or medicine and being unable to contact emergency services.
These disasters are no longer isolated or rare. They reflect a broader pattern of intensifying climate extremes — even in winter. Cold snaps, once expected, are now arriving faster, lasting longer, and leaving deeper scars.
We pray for all who suffered loss, injury, or hardship in the face of this storm — especially those without homes, heat, or the ability to seek help.