Three people found dead on New York City streets amid freezing temperatures
Winter Storm Fern has turned deadly with New York City reporting the first fatalities.
As of Saturday afternoon, the bodies of three people have been found on the streets of NYC as temperatures reach freezing lows.
A 67-year-old man was found on a sidewalk at about 7.45am on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, according to police. An additional two bodies – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – were found separately in Brooklyn about two hours after the first discovery.
All three died as a result of “weather-related circumstances”, according to sources who spoke with NBC News New York.
Winter storm Fern began its journey across the country on Saturday morning, bringing record low temperatures and more snowfall than many cities have seen in over a century. More than 220 million people in the US are likely to be affected before the storm clears away after the weekend.
States of emergency have been announced in at least 18 states including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Emergency declarations were also made in Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Three people were found dead on New York City streets amid the freezing temperatures. A 67-year-old man was found on a sidewalk in Manhattan this morning, according to police. An additional two bodies – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – were found separately in Brooklyn about two hours after the first discovery. All three died as a result of “weather-related circumstances”, according to sources who spoke with NBC News New York.
Over 10,000 flights across the US set to take off over the weekend were canceled amid the harsh conditions. Airlines had urged passengers traveling this weekend to reschedule their flights as the storm threatened to disrupt operations and force widespread cancellations.
The number of power outages had climbed to nearly 135,000 across the country. Most of the outages, as of Saturday afternoon, are in southern states, including Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. Texas has by far the largest number, currently sitting at just over 50,000.
Public transit systems are continuing to be suspended due to the storm. New Jersey Transit bus, light rail and Access Link services will be temporarily shut down beginning in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Capital Metro of Austin, Texas, ended all service in the city beginning at 4pm CST on Saturday.
Hundreds of National Guard troops from 12 states have been activated for the monster storm currently sweeping the country, according to the National Guard Bureau chief general Steven Nordhaus.
Hundreds of national guard troops from 12 states have been activated for the monster storm currently sweeping the country, according to national guard bureau chief Gen Steven Nordhaus.
“Soldiers and Airmen from 12 states are activated with eight more states on alert for Winter Storm Fern – working tirelessly alongside interagency partners to clear roads, help stranded motorists and support communities in need,” Nordhaus wrote in a post on X.
“To everyone in the storm’s path: take all precautionary measures to stay safe,” he added.
Here are some images of various towns across the US that are currently blanketed with snow.
Snow blankets the city in an aerial view from Pine Street and Denver Ave. during a winter storm Saturday, 24 January, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Photograph: Mike Simons/AP
Snow falls over Scissortail Park during Winter Storm Fern in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 24 January, 2026. Photograph: Nick Oxford/Reuters
Drivers navigate icy and wet road conditions by the I35-I30 interchange Saturday, 24 January, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP
A bicyclist rides in the snow along Veterans Blvd as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, 24 January, 2026, in Owensboro, Kentucky. Photograph: Greg Eans/AP
Malik Jones walks along a snow-covered street in Prairie Village, Kansas as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, 24 January 2026. Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP
More public transit systems continue to be suspended amid hazardous conditions. New Jersey Transit bus, light rail and Access Link services will be temporarily shut down beginning in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Customers should avoid unnecessary travel tomorrow as roads need to remain clear for local, county and state forces to remove snow so service can resume as quickly as it is safe to do so,” the agency said in a press release. It added that train and rail cars may continue operating passenger-free as a way to keep overhead wires and tracks free of snow and ice.
NJ Transit is the third-largest transit system in the US, with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
Three people found dead on New York City streets amid freezing temperatures
Winter Storm Fern has turned deadly with New York City reporting the first fatalities.
As of Saturday afternoon, the bodies of three people have been found on the streets of NYC as temperatures reach freezing lows.
A 67-year-old man was found on a sidewalk at about 7.45am on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, according to police. An additional two bodies – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – were found separately in Brooklyn about two hours after the first discovery.
All three died as a result of “weather-related circumstances”, according to sources who spoke with NBC News New York.
Though the worst of Winter Storm Fern isn’t set to hit the north-east until Sunday, New York City is already bracing itself for several inches of snow.
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about the city’s preparations today, warning that winter conditions will be harsher this weekend than they have been in eight years.
“By early Monday morning, the heaviest of the weather will have passed, although some precipitation could continue through the day,” Mamdani said. “We expect at least 8 to 9 inches of snow, and likely more. This will not just be snow. This storm will also bring with it intense cold, a prolonged period of frigid temperatures that will last through the next week.”
Teams from New York’s department of sanitation have already brined highways and roads, while the emergency management department has activated its winter weather plan, Mamdani said. The city previously activated a “code blue”, deploying teams to contact unhoused New Yorkers and connect them with shelter options.
Austin, Texas, metro system to shut down at 4pm CST
With conditions continuing to get more extreme, the Capital Metro of Austin, Texas, will end all service in the city beginning at 4pm CST on Saturday.
All regular services will be suspended Sunday and conditions will be monitored for Monday.
The city was issued an ice storm warning until noon CST Sunday, with up to a half an inch of ice accumulation possible. An extreme cold warning is also in effect until noon CST Monday, with wind chills possibly sinking as low as -5F (-21C).
Snowfall has just begun in Louisville, Kentucky. The National Weather Service of Louisville is predicting that the peak of the snowstorm will happen after midnight in the region.
Mayor Craig Greenberg said Louisville is preparing for “high extremes” at a press conference this afternoon, adding: “We hope that those numbers continue to come down in practice, but of course, we’re preparing for the worst conditions.”
Louisville metro public works wrote on X that the city’s “Snow Team began salting all 111 snow routes this morning and has about 70 trucks on the road. Crews are working around the clock. If you can stay home, please do. If you must travel, use caution and give crews room to work.”
Here’s a look at some of the snow removal and de-icing efforts happening across the country. Methods include scattering salt and saltwater on roads and vehicles, operating heavy-duty snowplows and just plain old-fashioned shoveling.
A de-icing crew works during Winter Storm Fern on a Southwest flight at the Nashville international airport in Tennessee on 24 January 2026. Photograph: Andrew Nelles/Reuters
Dallas Fort Worth airport workers clear ice and snow in Texas on 24 January 2026. Photograph: Jerome Miron/EPA
A Texas department of transportation truck applies a saltwater brine mixture across key roadways during a winter storm in Dallas on 24 January 2026. Photograph: Jerome Miron/EPA
A man shovels the parking lot of the tire shop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 24 January 2026. Photograph: Nick Oxford/Reuters
Power outages rise to nearly 135,000 across the US
The number of power outages has climbed to nearly 135,000 across the country, a significant leap from just a few hours ago when the figure was at barely above 80,000.
Most of the outages, as of Saturday afternoon, are in southern states, including Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. Texas still has by far the largest number, currently sitting at just below 60,000.
One of the most dangerous aspects of Winter Storm Fern is that it’s bringing record snowfall to areas that are unaccustomed to that kind of weather, leaving many residents ill-prepared to cope with conditions.
Little Rock, Arkansas, recorded 6in of snow this morning, significantly surpassing the previous daily record for snowfall of 4in set all the way back in 1899.
Ohio has been added to the list of states declaring emergencies. Governor Mike DeWine cited “damaging and dangerous” weather conditions.
“I’m proactively declaring a state of emergency in Ohio due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring to our state this weekend,” he wrote on X. “I continue to encourage everyone to stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to be out.”
Oklahoma is currently in the middle of the first of two waves of the winter storm, as the second wave is set to move into the state later Saturday night. The winter storm warning that was issued for almost the entirety of Oklahoma will remain in effect until noon Sunday. Here are a few images of the snow-covered state:
An aerial view of snowfall in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday. Photograph: Alonzo Adams/AP
A man carries buckets of snow in the parking lot of the tire shop where he works. Photograph: Nick Oxford/Reuters
Interstate 40 in downtown Oklahoma City. Photograph: Alonzo Adams/AP
Shannon White and JP Davis, who are both unhoused, walk to a day shelter in Oklahoma City. Photograph: Nick Oxford/Reuters
DC expects at least 9in of snow tonight, says mayor
Washington DC’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, wrote on X: “Snow is coming tonight” in the region.
“We’re expecting at least 9’ of snow, followed by extreme cold weather through the end of next week,” she added. “Our teams are working to keep residents safe, warm, and inside all weekend long – for neighbors in need of shelter, call: (202) 399-7093.”
Yesterday, the mayor declared a state of emergency in DC in anticipation of the storm.
