A massive winter storm stretching across 34 states has delivered heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to New England and, most destructively, up to an inch of ice from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast. Ice-covered trees and lines have knocked out power to more than a million customers at the storm’s peak, with Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas among the hardest hit. Officials warn some outages could last a week.

The Cruelest Kind of Outage

Losing power in an ice storm means losing heat with roads too dangerous to leave home, a combination that turns houses cold fast and makes this among the deadliest types of winter weather. Utilities across the South are rebuilding infrastructure span by span under coatings of ice.

Preparing for Possible Impacts

• Inspect your standby generator and ensure it is ready to activate automatically if power is lost.
• Run a test cycle to confirm your system starts and transfers power properly.
• Plan for fuel supply and make sure natural gas or propane systems are fully connected and serviced.
• Consider an upgrade. Whole-home backup solutions from Generac and Kohler keep families warm through week-long outages like this one.

Stay Informed

Bitter cold follows the ice. Check on neighbors, never use outdoor heaters or generators indoors, and follow utility restoration updates closely.